The winning team

Glide launched a marketing competition exclusively for the University of Birmingham's MBA (Masters of Business Administration) students.

On Thursday 22 September a team of Glide representatives headed to the university to deliver a presentation about the company and its services before challenging the students to create a full marketing proposal for the business.

A team from Glide reviewed all of the marketing proposals submitted and the authors of the best proposal received a £500 prize.

The competition is part of Glide's ongoing relationship with the University of Birmingham, where co-founders James Villarreal and Sandeep Krishan were both students when they established the business.

The winning team proposed a combination of gamification technology to interact with students, partnerships with pubs and clubs to get brand exposure, an on-campus campaign using a Glide Surfboard and a Glide iPhone and Android application.

The winning team really got to grips with Glide's energetic image and were really forward thinking. They designed a scaleable proposal whilst sticking to their budget. They had thought about how to increase Glide's profile within the community and also how to increase brand awareness through social media.

Glide are proud to have sponsored the entrepreneurial category of coveted Birmingham Young Professional of the Year 2011 awards (BYPY). Glide actively promotes its endeavour to encourage other young entrepreneurs in the local region. Our CEO, James Villarreal sat on the judging panel to choose this year's winners.

Quantity surveyor, Hillary Allen, won the overall award and has been crowned Birmingham Young Professional of the Year 2011.

In Glide's entrepreneurial category, Nicholas Holzherr, managing director of Qrky won the award.

Glide are sponsoring the largest student music festival in the UK. It's called Summer Party and it's in Nottingham. You can find our more about it at www.summerparty.org.uk

We've got Chase and Status, Example, Feeder, Scratch Perverts and more playing. See the full line up here.

We'll be running competitions and giving away lots of freebies on the day! Everybody's welcome so please come and play some games with us on our stand.

Book your tickets here.

Lee Kemp, Colin White and James Villarreal after Tough Guy

Three hardy Birmingham entrepreneurs have successfully completed the gruelling Tough Guy assault course, raising thousands of pounds for Birmingham Children’s Hospital's Children's Heart Appeal.

Lee Kemp, 35, of Birmingham film production company Fullrange, Colin White, 37, of Ortus and James Villarreal, 25, founder of Glide Utilities, risked life and limb to take on the extreme challenge, which has seen contestants sustain serious injuries in previous years.

They faced a 12km run before tackling underwater, burning and barbed wire obstacles, all while enduring near freezing temperatures. The challenge took place in Perton near Wolverhampton, with more than 5,000 men and women competing to make it to the finish.

The trio raised more than £3,000, which will go to Birmingham Children's Hospital's Children's Heart Appeal, as well as Tough Guy's chosen charities, which include Horse Sanctuary and Kids off the Streets.

Lee Kemp, James Villarreal and Colin White

A team of West Midlands entrepreneurs – including current Birmingham Young Professional of the Year, James Villarreal - are taking their lives in their hands to raise money for charity.

Joining Mr Villarreal – CEO of utilities company Glide - are Lee Kemp of Fullrange Media and Colin White of professional services growth firm Ortus. The three have entered the Tough Guy challenge – an extreme endurance event held at the end of January near Wolverhampton.

Obstacles include razor wire, fire and mud, but Colin White said the trio were undaunted.

"Over 600 people were treated for hypothermia following the completion of the event last year, apparently. I was told that bit after I agreed to take part. The event is considered to be one of the world’s toughest events, and is ludicrously difficult".

The team aims to raise £2,000, which will be shared between their chosen charity, Birmingham Children’s Hospital, and the event’s designated good causes, which include Help for Heroes.

Mr White said: "Every year over 225,000 sick children from across the UK are treated at Birmingham Children's Hospital. Many Their stories of courage, determination and hope are truly amazing."

To sponsor the team, please click here.

Glide are proud to have sponsored the entrepreneurial category of coveted Birmingham Young Professional of the Year 2011 awards (BYPY). Glide actively promotes its endeavour to encourage other young entrepreneurs in the local region. Our CEO, James Villarreal sat on the judging panel to choose this year's winners.

Quantity surveyor, Hillary Allen, won the overall award and has been crowned Birmingham Young Professional of the Year 2011.

In Glide's entrepreneurial category, Nicholas Holzherr, managing director of Qrky won the award.

Glide are sponsoring the largest student music festival in the UK. It's called Summer Party and it's in Nottingham. You can find our more about it at www.summerparty.org.uk

We've got Chase and Status, Example, Feeder, Scratch Perverts and more playing. See the full line up here.

We'll be running competitions and giving away lots of freebies on the day! Everybody's welcome so please come and play some games with us on our stand.

Book your tickets here.