Hampshire: CEO launches digital music entrepreneurship award at Southampton Solent University

Twenty First Artists CEO Colin Lester has launched a new award to discover and nurture new entrepreneurial talent at Southampton Solent University. He chose the day he was awarded an honorary degree by the university to officially launch The Colin Lester Digital Entrepreneurship Award. 

The award gives Solent University students (both existing and graduates from 2011 onwards) the chance to win a cash prize of £1,000 and up to £9,000 of claimable expenses to develop and support their new digital music enterprises.

Entries should be based on finding new ways to digitally promote music and artists. The prize also includes mentoring from Twenty First Artists, Lester’s London-based international artist management company.

Lester said: “This is an incredibly proud day for me. To be recognised in this way is humbling and I am very grateful to everyone at Southampton Solent University for this wonderful honour. I love working and interacting with the students at the university and they are the inspiration for The Colin Lester Digital Entrepreneurship Award, which aims to harness and support the incredible creativity and talent that I see here.”

Paul Rutter, associate Professor and programme group leader of the University's popular music scheme, said: “Colin has been a genuine friend to Southampton Solent University and has been a truly inspirational force for our students during the time he has worked with us.

“We wanted to recognise not only his contribution to the music industry but also the work he has done on behalf of the City of Southampton, particularly through his work with Craig David. The Colin Lester Digital Entrepreneurship Award is an excellent initiative and will, I’m sure, stimulate important new ideas and allow them to flourish.”