Barclays bring 10 business dreams one step closer with £500,000 bonus

The competition attracted over 3,500 entries from around the UK all vying to win their regions prize of £50,000 From a final shortlist of 30 a massive public voting campaign has resulted in the winning inspirational businesses and ideas receiving £50,000 each to make their dreams a reality.

 

Steve Cooper, Managing Director of Barclays Business, said: “Heartfelt congratulations to the ten winners of the Take One Small Step competition, each of whom will share in £500,000. It is a life-changing amount of money designed to help them realise their dreams.

 

“These businesses will now be able to start or expand their companies, manufacture some incredibly innovative products, and give back to the community that has shown them so much support in the voting stages.

 

“The standard of entries for the competition has been incredibly high, but the winners were all able to demonstrate the business X factor to gain huge support from the public to vote for them.  They have displayed a fantastic mix of creativity, ingenuity and business acumen to capture the public’s imagination.  I’d like to wish all of our successful business ideas good luck in the future and I hope this competition is a springboard for long term success.”

 

The winners are:

 

Central: Emergency Life Systems will now put into production a fire alarm that sends text messages and sounds when smoke is detected.

 

Eastern: Sidearm will manufacture a simple throwing device to train aspiring cricketers, with licensing deals in India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh on the horizon.

 

London North: Near Global has built a ground-breaking software application that lets users explore and interact with accurate models of cities online which it will be able to grow globally.

 

London South: The Papered Parlour, an independent craft venue offering studio space to artists and weekly craft workshops to the public will expand their programme and studio.

 

North East:  Fidgets will look to create a franchise around its hair salon dedicated to children who can sit in a novelty character toy car and enjoy their favourite DVD during a haircut. (Pictured above)

 

North West: Children’s Cold & Sun Protection Natural Products aims to manufacture and sell a range of organic products for children up to the age of 10.

 

Scotland: Polybius Games, creator of Super Spy Camp, an interactive online game to keep children entertained at hotels and holiday parks, will now increase marketing and manufacture.

 

South West: Ovo Energy, a new energy company offering gas and electricity in a cheaper, greener way will reinvest in the community, via an educational outreach programme.

 

Southern: Fast Forward will create low cost, environmentally friendly pedals that provide power assistance to cyclists.

 

Wales & West: The Dragon Fly Project offers people with special needs a respite break on a working farm and will expand and extend its reach, so more families can benefit.

 

The other shortlisted companies will also be offered further business support through Barclays. To see the winning business ideas go to www.takeonesmallstep.co.uk.