Budding women entrepreneurs in east London are getting £2,000 each to start up their own businesses.

The 15 women beat off rival bids from 95 others applying to the University of East London’s ‘Make it Real’ project.

Winning ideas included a beauty advice website, an organic chilli chutney brand, an Afro-Carribean themed board game and a lesbian dating app.

UEL’s Linsey Cole said: “There were some really slick business pitches and judges had to make tough choices to select the final 15.

“This is helping women in east London follow their ambitions by taking the bold step of branching out into the world of business.”

The winners receive the cash up front, with a guiding mentor, three months’ office space at UEL’s business centre and workshops covering the ‘nuts and bolts’ of starting up a business.