As part of his computer science for games course, Torrell Ewan developed a piece of software to help run breakdancing competitions. It was so successful that, with the help of our Enterprise Team, Torrell turned his idea into his own business, Woosh (wooshcms.com).

How did the idea behind Woosh come about?

I’ve been a competitive breakdancer for years, so for my dissertation I decided to develop software to help run electronic judging for dance competitions. Since then it’s expanded to become a full competition management system, running everything from ticket sales to giving feedback to the dancers. I was inspired by my phenomenal placement working at SN Systems, part of Sony, who make development tools for PlayStation®.

How did Sheffield Hallam help you turn your idea into a business?

I linked up with the Enterprise Team at Sheffield Hallam, who helped me with funding and gave me a workspace to run my business from. I also won Best Pitch at the Hallam Enterprise Awards. The team are so friendly and you can tell they really care about you as an individual. Running your own business can feel lonely so it’s good to know I have this massive support network behind me.

What advice do you have for anyone who’d like to run their own business?

Do what I did and combine your passion with your course. Make the most of everything available to you at university, from the careers support to the powerful equipment you’ll have access to. And join a society — if it wasn’t for the Breakdancing Society at Sheffield Hallam I wouldn’t be where I am today. I made lifelong friends and travelled the world dancing with them. I’m Hallam till I die!