Arnold won the Generation Y Not? competition for setting up Drive Daddy, a company which manufacturers the world’s first powered golf trolley you can ride. Called the ‘Rolley’, the invention allows golfers to hop-on to their golf trolley and cruise silently around the golf course.
Based in South East London, Arnold started his firm when he was 21 years old in his final year of university. The idea came about after his friend complained that a full round of 18 holes took too long.
Against tough competition, Arnold was crowned the winner for creating an innovative product by combining his passion for engineering, technology and golf. He captured the judges’ imaginations with his entrepreneurial spirit in getting the Rolley to market by overcoming financial and patent issues.
The Rolley brings something unique to the golf industry, with its lightweight fold-up dynamics that make it easily transportable, and the judges praised his use of social media to communicate Drive Daddy’s brand. They were also excited by the potential to rent fleets of Rolleys to golf courses and Arnold’s plans to diversify the technology into security, airports and factories.
“The judges were blown away with Arnold’s golf invention,” said Phil Birbeck, managing director, PC World Business. “Who says age is a handicap when it comes to starting your own business?
“We launched the competition to celebrate the best of the UK’s young business talent and help young entrepreneurs maximise their potential. By getting sound technology and business advice at the start of its journey, we look forward to helping Drive Daddy create a worldwide brand which Britain can be proud of.”
Arnold du Toit said: “I’ve had a really exciting two years bringing the Rolley to market after getting funding from London South Bank University. My next steps are to speak to golf courses around the UK about installing fleets of rental Rolley’s. The support and advice I’ve won will be invaluable and the IT kit will be a great help to drive my company forward. Now I’m going straight to the 19th hole to celebrate this win!”
Arnold will receive an Advent laptop, Brother printer and £250 PC World Business vouchers, free membership to one of The Office Group’s stylish office spaces and exclusive tailor-made mentoring sessions with Jamie Murray Wells, business experts from Dixons Retail, parent company of PC World Business, and M&C Saatchi PR.
Jamie Murray Wells, founder, Glasses Direct and lead Generation Y Not? judge, said: “Having started a business while at university, I can see a bit of myself in Arnold. I’m a massive advocate for helping young entrepreneurs realise their business ambitions and set up on their own. Drive Daddy’s focus on British manufacturing and technological development is impressive – the Rolley is a truly innovative product.
“Young entrepreneurs represent the next generation of successful businesses. Competitions like Generation Y Not? help them take their firms to the next level.”
The competition, which asked entrants to tweet their business plan, was judged by a panel of eight successful young entrepreneurs.
The judges assessed the entrants, all of which had to be aged 24 years or younger, against specific criteria.
This included how technology was used to get ahead of the competition, how the business idea brings something new to market or changes the way things were done before, and the level of passion, vision and drive each entrepreneur exhibited.
The competition’s runners up also demonstrated great business ideas and innovative use of technology. The four finalists were:
Ry Morgan – age 23
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Thomas Farquhar – age 22
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Anthony Laville – age 22
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Dean Edward Smithers – age 22
Day One: A creative agency that offers clients the opportunity to work with young creative talent from universities across Britain
