Student entrepreneur bucks trend ahead of government report on youth employment with launch of SolarDock

Second year Plymouth University student and entrepreneur Feyi Ogunyeye, wants to change the way we approach issues like low self-employment rates in the 16-24 age group. This is at a time when statistics indicate that less than 11% of self-employed individuals in the UK are below the age of 30 (J.Deane, Self-Employment review pg 8, 2016).

He says that “Due to the lack of awareness and information taught to the younger generation about self-employment, many are put off the concept of running their own business”.

Feyi also thinks that “we live in a society that views getting a traditional job as the expected output of the education system, so that entrepreneurship as a potential outcome of education is neither planned or catered for”. Over the next few weeks, Feyi is taking his first steps towards success as a young entrepreneur and inventor, through launching his “BrighThinking SolarDock”.

The SolarDock is an indoor solar charger for smart-devices that aims to disrupt the trend for the slow adoption of renewable energy products by consumers. It has been running a Crowdfunding campaign closing on May 23rd 2016 in the Virgin Voom business competition.

At a total height of almost 25cm (just 1cm taller than an iPad), and a width of 24.4cm, the modern design of the SolarDock allows consumers to conveniently collect and use green energy on a small and portable scale within their homes and offices.