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.

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