Gill Ellis and Nicola Morgan, co-founders of Behaviour Stop and inventors of the Good Choice Teddy, were picked as the wildcard for the final of The Pitch 2011, organised by BusinessZone.co.uk in association with print and digital services company Yell.
The Good Choice Teddy uses a traffic-light system and different coloured t-shirts to help children improve their behaviour. If the child refuses to improve, a red t-shirt is placed on the teddy which encourages them to think about the benefits of being well behaved.
Behaviour Stop also offers other products and services aimed at promoting positive relationships among teachers, parents and children.
The business was one of 16 competing for the most public votes. All the companies were runners-up in the regional heats of the competition which took place during the summer in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
After almost 2,000 online votes were cast including some from as far afield as Australia and Argentina, the Welsh finalists and qualified teachers were the most popular.
Gill Ellis and Nicola Morgan will now pitch in front of a live audience at The Pitch 2011 grand final in London on 18 November alongside the winners of the English, Welsh, Scottish and Northern Irish heats. They will be judged by experts including serial entrepreneur Karen Darby and The Secret Millionaire star Carl Hopkins.
The overall champion will win a package of business products and services worth £50,000. The event is also the official closing party for Global Entrepreneurship Week UK.
Dan Martin, editor of BusinessZone.co.uk and founder of The Pitch, says: “All of our wildcard contenders should be thoroughly proud of themselves as they did very well to reach the regional heats stage.
“However, there can only be one winner and Gill and Nicola did a great job at promoting their cause through social media. They have a great business so we look forward to seeing how they compete during the final on 18 November.
During the grand final at London’s legendary Pacha nightclub, the public will have another chance to have their saying by watching the live pitches and selecting who should win the People’s Choice Award, sponsored by XLN Telecom.
Tickets to the events cost £20 including a free drink and can be purchased at http://www.thepitch2011.com/the-pitch-final
The other finalists in the final are:
England: Cara Sayer, Snoozeshade (a product to help children sleep while in a pushchair)
Wales: Helen McAvoy, Rocktails (pre-packaged frozen cocktails)
Scotland: Ross Dickinson, Kibosh (provides a temporary fix to burst water pipes)
Northern Ireland: Barbara Hughes, Boozeberries (premium liqueur infused with wild berries)
Business Matters is a proud supporter of The Pitch 2011
