Innovative Edinburgh College Student Takes National Business Award
An enterprising Edinburgh College student has been recognised for his innovative and entrepreneurial work at a national business awards ceremony.
HND Sound Production student David Maitland won the newly-introduced Innovation Award at this year’s Bridge 2 Business Educator Awards. David was also shortlisted for the Social Enterprise Team, and Enterprising Student of the Year Awards.
David won the award for his work in setting up his own music technology company Tonic Note Audio. Tonic Note focuses on community at its heart, bringing people together with a similar passion to share knowledge and skills to help others develop. The company has organised a number of events in the area to promote a unique type of music in a creative and innovative way.
The Innovation Award recognises a project or start-up enterprise that has had a successful innovative approach towards the development of a product or service. The judges were looking for examples of ideas, and a strong understanding of innovation to create either; a solution to a problem, a commercial opportunity, or the development of a new process.
Every year Bridge 2 Business celebrates the hard-working and enterprising efforts of students, lecturers, and colleges. The programme which engages with over 10,000 students per year, is delivered across nine colleges across Scotland and aims to inspire, connect, and support students into and through enterprise.
Thirty-four-year-old David Maitland said: “I feel really happy to win the Innovation Award because since I started it, the main point of the business is to do things in a new and refreshing way.
“Releasing music on an edible format, art installations and custom projections at our live music events, and focusing on live electronic music performances rather than DJs to give music producers a platform to show their craft.
“I want to thank the whole clan of artists, musicians, gig goers, volunteers helping at the events, and everyone else involved in this project. Tonic Note Records is an incredible community, and I’m glad everyone’s hard work has been recognised.”
HND2 Course Leader Andy Stentiford said: “David has been an incredibly driven and focused student throughout his HND, working on his own external projects and coursework with equal enthusiasm.
“The volume of work David has delivered this year is simply staggering. From coursework and recordings to establishing Tonic Note and his Whisky & Synths YouTube Channel, every project has been delivered to his consistently high standards.
“His passion for music technology is obvious and I am delighted to learn that he has won the Innovation Award. Good luck for the future, David!”
