STUDENT entrepreneurs went head to head in a test of their business skills and ideas.

Four enterprises were put under the spotlight as their owners battled for the Plan ENVY awards at the University of York.

The contenders were pitching for the overall Plan ENVY (Exciting New Ventures in York) first prize of £2,000, plus £500 for the most robust business plan, both decided by a panel of judges, and £500 for the most innovative enterprise, voted on by the audience at the event in the Ron Cooke Hub.

George Macgill and Bill Cotter explained how their business, Hello Hot Tubs, provided inflatable hot tubs for hire, often for special occasions. They were already operating in nine cities, including York, and were aiming to move into nine more cities next year.

Jacob Peatfield, of Traveller's Flag, runs a handmade accessories business, and described how he created products which combined high durability and high aesthetic value. There were four products on his website and four more would be added in the summer, and they could also be customised.

Jon Holden said his venture, Next Generation Aquaculture, would tap into a 'massive growth area' by rearing abalone in artificial environments inland, thus avoiding problems caused by climate change to existing businesses in the shellfish market which were based by the sea. He said EU research suggested there was a big potential demand for fresh abalone from western European restaurants.

Finally Phil Daneshyar set out the case for Thirsti, which provides a 50-size device which can be placed in cup, glass or other container to monitor how much a person is drinking, which he said had applications for the health-conscious and also potentially in the care of people with dementia. As well as helping people to drink enough fluids, it could also help to warn them against drinking too much of, say, alcohol or coffee.

Thirsti won first prize, while Hello Hot Tubs was deemed most robust and New Generation Aquaculture the most innovative business.

There was also a Freelance Challenge for a £1,500 prize, again voted on by the audience. The winner was Josh Sulkin, while the other contenders, Nadine Loach and Adrian Palma, received £500 each.