The award is run by Enterprise UK, in partnership with the Daily Mail, the Institute of Directors and the Department of Business, Innovation and Skills, the competition was open to anyone below 30 who has made their idea happen in a new, innovative or inspiring way.
This years winners were:
Andy Fidler (28): StudentAid
www.student-aid.co.uk
StudentAid provides a network of on and offline media channels around its main website www.student-aid.co.uk.
The company encourages audiences to connect with big brands like
Unilever, Kraft and Britvic. For example a welcome parcel for 55
universities offers brand/ products placement directly into over
150,000 student’s bedrooms.
Student Aid is the brainchild of
Andy Fidler and his business partner Gordon Bennell. Having already set
up successful businesses within the youth marker, Andy spotted the
opportunity to use new media to enable brands to directly target
students. Although it’s been a steep learning curve, the company has
thrived and in their third year one in four university students receive
a Student Aid parcel and they are a leading player within their market.
Natalie Haywood (28): Leaf Tea Company
www.thisisleaf.co.uk
Leaf Tea Shop and Bar is an unusual but imaginative venue in the
centre of Liverpool – tea shop by day and live music venue by night.
Founded by Natalie Haywood, Leaf is a vibrant and dynamic company which
aims to redefine the traditional experience of tea drinking and bring
it into the 21st Century.
Natalie noticed how nightlife and
trends were changing and was inspired to provide an innovative café/
bar and drink brand which was an alternative to the ‘binge drinking’
Britain cliché. The Leaf concept has been such as success, receiving
national press coverage and even taking their tea shop on the road at
summer festivals.
Hayley Gait-Golding (30): BEAR nibbles
www.wearebear.co.uk
BEAR nibbles is a start up snack launched in the supermarkets in October 2009. Made with 100% natural ingredients, BEAR
snacks have a no nonsense approach to what’s in their products -If you
can’t find it in a field or on a tree, they refuse to put it in their
snacks! Founded by husband and wife team Andrew and Hayley Gait
Golding, BEAR nibbles came about after
Hayley, a personal trainer struggled to find healthy treats for her
clients. Hayley was inspired to offer an alternative to chocolate,
biscuits and sweets so created a fruit and wholegrain snack which is
one of your five fruit and veg a day and under 100 calories.
BEAR is an ambitious young company with a goal to become the nation’s favourite healthy nibble over the next 5 years.
Duncan Glendinning (27): The Thoughtful Bread Company
www.thethoughtfulbreadcompany.com
The Thoughtful Bread Company vows to make bread as you would at
home… on a somewhat larger scale! This small bakery set up by Duncan
Glendinning is not even a year old but has already made its mark in
Bath. Duncan noticed a gap in the market for interesting, different
breads and plugged it with his innovative range including vintage
cheese bread and beetroot bread. The Thoughtful bread company is
committed to sourcing their ingredients locally with everything coming
from within a 40 mile radius or grown by themselves!
Initially
a web developer, Duncan became frustrated with the solitary nature of
his work so he combined an innovative idea for a business with his
passion for good, local and seasonal food. The risk he took on and the
long nights of baking have certainly paid off and the Thoughtful Bread
Company has lots of satisfied customers!
Steve Lowy (29): umi hotels
www.umihotels.com
Umi is a new concept in accommodation which offers 5* service for 3*
prices. Steve Lowy heads up a passionate team which strives to bridge
the gulf between Britain’s budget and luxury hotels. Inspired whilst
travelling, Steve recognised the gap between the fun, relaxed
atmosphere of a backpacker’s hostel and the services of a 5 * hotel.
Steve sought to create a modern, friendly hotel environment and
exciting brand without over pricing and exclusivity, which he has
succeeded to do with his growing group of Umi hotels. The group has two
hotels in the UK (London and Brighton) and a
partner hotel in Moscow. Steve has ambitious plans for the growth of
Umi and is set to be a name to watch in the hospitality sector.