A business set up by a graduate at London Metropolitan University and supported by the Accelerator has reached the semi-final stage of a national competition.
Date: 3 November 2014
Damiano La Rocca, a former Events Management student, and his business have been nominated for the National Association of Colleges & University’s Entrepreneurs’ (NACUE) Varsity Pitch Competition.
Seable, Damiano's business, offers accessible sport and leisure activity holidays for those with limited mobility and the visually impaired.
“Reaching the semi-final was like the cherry on the cake this year,” Damiano said. “Seable has received lots of positive feedback and recognition in less than one year, I couldn't be happier.”
Reaching the semi-finals, is the latest recognition for Seable which has already been awarded at the UnLtd Build-it Awards and a plaque from Rotary International for work towards social issues.
Unique Experiences
Seable works with a large number of charity and business partners including the Royal National Institute of Blind People and Easyjet.
It has worked particularly closely with Sicilian charity Life Improvement for Everyone (LIFE) to create tailor-made activities that cater for blind and disabled travel needs. Activities include scuba diving, sensory fishing and 4x4 driving sessions.
“I’ve have been introduced to a new sport that I know I will love,” said Stephen Campbell, a member of the Irish Paralympic swimming team on his experience travelling to Sicily on a holiday with Seable.
“I know it will help me improve my confidence and will help me meet new people. Even though I am blind, it still allows me to do more or the same things as a non-disabled person does. I loved every single moment of my time in Sicily.”
Grand Prize
The Varsity Pitch is a competition where students and graduates pitch for a grand prize of £10,000 funding towards their business.
To find out more about Seable please go to www.seable.co.uk.
Seable is one of the businesses supported by the student enterprise programme that is part of the Hatchery at London Metropolitan University’s Accelerator.
Damiano’s course, Events Management and International Tourism Management, is one of several undergraduate management courses offered through the University’s London Guildhall Faculty of Business and Law.
Please contact Tom Sutton for more information: t.sutton@londonmet.ac.uk.
