Business School students Ellie Llewellyn and Conor Erb

Exeter students named in ’30 Under 30’ list of budding entrepreneurs

Two students from the University of Exeter Business School have been named on a list of rising stars in business.

Second year undergraduates Ellie Llewellyn and Conor Erb were included in the Devon & Plymouth Chamber of Commerce’s ’30 Under 30’ campaign for the “significant impact” they’ve made in the working world.

Ellie, a second year undergraduate studying Marketing and Management, has launched her own premium coffee outlet selling locally roasted, sustainably sourced coffee with biodegradable packaging.

She also hosts seasonal markets and has just launched her first homeware range – despite starting out in business only 12 months ago.

Conor, a second year Economics student, is co-founder of Clickbar, an order-at-table marketplace solution and the youngest ever Consultant Director at 180 Degrees Consulting, a consultancy for non-profits and social enterprises.

He has led consultancy projects to improve access to clean water and education in Rwanda, and promote awareness of colorectal cancer in Lebanon.

Both Business School students are currently in the Student Startup Spring Incubator programme, and attended a glittering awards ceremony at Buckfast Abbey earlier in the month to honour all the nominees.

Ellie said she was “delighted” to find out she had been named among the ‘30 Under 30’, which is named after the famous Forbes list.

“It was amazing to meet other like-minded people at the event and see how so many people within Devon are making a positive impact through the world of work.

“It has given me a real boost to expand my love for running my own business. I am very grateful for the help and support I have received from SETsquared and the University’s Student Startups team.” 

Conor said it was a great feeling to share the stage with Devon’s most talented young business professionals.

"It feels great to have been selected and to have shared the stage with so many talented individuals.

“Myself and my co-founder have big ambitions for Clickbar – an order-at-table solution allowing you to order and pay in under 10 seconds – including rolling out Clickbar across the whole of Exeter and eventually the UK. We've recently got Clickbar into into Pura Vida, a favourite cafe among Exeter students. Next stop Forbes 30 under 30!"

Emily Davies, the SETsquared Exeter Student Startup Manager, said: “We were thrilled to attend this year’s event and to be invited to present some of the evening’s awards. It was a wonderful opportunity to honour the remarkable impact that these young people are making in their communities and in the wider region.”

The nominees were judged on the speed they have progressed in the working world, their outstanding accomplishments, their contribution to the sustainability of the planet, their entrepreneurial abilities, what they are doing that benefits the local community, how they influence other members of the team and their potential to become a future leader.

Date: 15 March 2022