Mont Rose College proudly hosted the grand finale of the Angel Competition 2025 on June 30, celebrating student entrepreneurship, innovation, and determination. The event at Mont Rose House brought together seven ambitious student finalists, a panel of esteemed judges, dedicated mentors, and a buzzing audience of supporters. Hosted by Vasilita Golban, the final was a dynamic showcase of how education, mentorship, and creativity can turn bold ideas into powerful ventures.
This year marked a significant milestone: Seven finalists advanced to the final stage for the first time in the competition’s ten-year history. This record-breaking achievement speaks volumes about the growing entrepreneurial energy at Mont Rose College. Launched in 2015, the Angel Competition has become a flagship initiative that highlights business talent and nurtures it through mentoring, real-world feedback, and presentation experience.
Meet the Finalists
Each of the seven finalists brought a unique vision, tackling diverse industries—from fashion and food to healthcare and wellbeing. Their presentations were followed by Q&A sessions with the judges and complemented by vibrant stall displays that brought colour and shape to the event, making the day truly special.
- Daniela Andreea Ivan – Andreea’s Art
A sustainable fashion project showcasing hand-painted, upcycled clothing. Daniela’s venture combines eco-conscious fashion with wearable art. - Sampa Dey – Sampa’s Fashion
A culturally inspired clothing line fusing Indian traditional wear with Western styles. Her inclusive product range caters to all ages and brings cultural expression to the forefront. - Misbah Safeer – Mishi Tailoring (Winner)
A bespoke tailoring business blending Asian craftsmanship with modern English fashion. Misbah’s confident pitch, clear vision, and polished branding secured her the top spot. - Joseph Osundukwe – Noble Healthcare Services (Runner-up)
A business model designed to provide home-based mental health support for adults. Joseph’s focus on social impact and strong operational plan earned him second place. - Sonia Barcelos – S&B Nearby Private Care
A mobile wellness and beauty service offering care to clients at home. Sonia’s idea caters to those with busy schedules or mobility challenges. - Lourenço Fernandes – Laurenco Box
An Indian food takeaway venture that integrates eco-friendly packaging. Lourenço and his brother aim to offer authentic meals with a green conscience. - Aline Wabi Nzumba – De Grace Event & Restaurants
A catering business and future restaurant concept rooted in African cuisine and hospitality. Aline’s venture celebrates culture, tradition, and community through food.
Display Stalls that Brought the Event to Life
In addition to their stage presentations, each finalist set up a display stall to exhibit products, prototypes, or branding materials. From racks of painted jackets to food samples and digital marketing visuals, the stalls transformed the venue into a marketplace of ideas. These creative exhibitions allowed guests and judges to interact directly with the participants, adding a tactile dimension to the competition. The stalls also highlighted students’ marketing, branding, and storytelling abilities—skills essential to entrepreneurial success.
A Distinguished Judging Panel
A diverse panel of experts evaluated the finalists’ business ideas:
- Mr. Bilal Sheikh – CEO of Mont Rose College and visionary leader dedicated to student empowerment.
- Mr. Desh Sharma is a programme leader in Business Marketing and is known for mentoring and developing business talent.
- Mr. Cyril Bekoe – Ilford BID Manager, championing local enterprise and innovation in East London.
- Cllr Tanweer Khan – Redbridge Councillor, investment banker.
- Mr. Neal Banks – A real estate and investment professional with nearly a decade of industry experience.
These judges brought invaluable insight, asking thoughtful questions and offering constructive feedback that helped students reflect on their strengths and growth areas.
Mentorship That Made the Difference
None of this success happened in isolation. Behind every great pitch stood weeks of preparation supported by dedicated mentors. Mr. Yannick Fansi and Mrs. Fathima Aqila Mohamed Ali, Business Marketing lecturers at Mont Rose College, guided the finalists through every step, helping refine business plans, improve public speaking, and strengthen financial modelling. Their mentorship was instrumental in preparing students to present with confidence and clarity. Their contribution was publicly acknowledged with heartfelt tributes and special awards at the event.
Competition Format and Judging Criteria
The Angel Competition followed a structured format. Each participant had 15 minutes—10 for their pitch and 5 for judges’ questions. After all the presentations, judges assessed the ideas using a rubric that included:
- Business viability and originality
- Strength of the business plan
- Financial accuracy and scalability
- Presentation skills and confidence
- Market analysis and operational insight
Judging forms were carefully reviewed, and after a panel discussion, the winners were announced.
Celebration of Winners and All Finalists
Misbah Safeer was named the Winner of the Angel Competition 2025, applauded for her outstanding fusion of tradition and innovation in tailoring. Her stall, branding, and presentation were exceptionally professional.
Joseph Osundukwe, the Runner-up, was praised for his compassionate business addressing mental health care, a critical need in today’s society.
Each finalist received a certificate of achievement, and Misbah received the medal and additional support to help launch her business. During the awards ceremony, Mr. Desh Sharma reminded everyone, “Each of you is a winner because you dared to dream, build, and believe.”
Building a Culture of Entrepreneurship
More than just a contest, the Angel Competition reflects Mont Rose College’s commitment to hands-on learning, community building, and career readiness. It allows students to bridge theory and practice, develop confidence, and gain experience that prepares them for the real world.
As the curtain closed on this year’s event, one thing was clear: the future of entrepreneurship is bright at Mont Rose College. These students are not only building businesses—they’re building belief in themselves and others.
