The short-list of the six brightest ideas for the 2015 Spark Business competition at Stockport Business and Innovation Centre (SBIC) has been announced including start-up ideas ranging from christening gifts to horticulture and from open-source software to creative digital training.
The six companies battling it out for the crown will hope to follow in the footsteps of last year’s winner, bereavement gifts business, Inspired Goodbyes.
This year’s winner will enjoy a package of support worth £15,000, including free office space for a year at SBIC, marketing, product development & PR support, along with a business banking start-up package, expert guidance on finance, legal, employment law & IP protection.
SBIC, owned by Stockport Council and based in Broadstone Mill, Reddish, is part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund and provides flexible office space specifically aimed at start-up businesses looking to make their first move into professional offices.
Among the short-listed ideas is Michael Boylan, whose TwistPot height adjustable plant pot and tray system is already attracting interest from horticulture wholesalers in the UK and abroad.
Angela Lock’s Bessie & Flo business is also included in the list. Offering modern versions of vintage stationary, ceramics and christening gifts, Bessie & Flo has already secured a partnership with an established ceramics company.
Joining the entrepreneurial line-up is Hagen Kuehn, who aims to join the booming open source software sector with Quater, which seeks to provide a cost effective highly secure open source software management service for small/medium businesses.
Meanwhile, Chris Jarratt is hoping his Bariquins idea will find a customer base in the healthcare sector. With figures suggesting around one in four Britons are obese, Chris’ idea is to manufacture 25-stone mannequins to be used to train healthcare and emergency services professionals to safely and efficiently lift obese people.
Jamie Owens’ student placement database, Grumpy Vest, is also among the final six best business ideas. Grumpy Vest will allow businesses and agencies to search for suitable students for long and short-term positions to meet their fluctuating demand for staff.
The final business idea comes from Vinca and Lee Power, who are developing the Creativefront Digital Academy. The not-for-profit training provider will specialise in creative digital workshops and courses for people in disadvantaged circumstances.
All entrants impressed the judges with their innovation, unique selling points and the potential to ‘scale up’ their businesses.
They will continue to receive strategic coaching and growth planning support, after which they will draw up a detailed business plan. The judging panel will hear the finalists pitch their ideas in Dragon’s Den style in the final event on June 23rd, with the winner announced on the day.
Incubation Director at SBIC, Tony Corcoran, said:
“This competition isn’t just about taking a title. All the entrants receive business training and support, allowing their ideas to flourish.
“The breadth and scope of this year’s crop of ideas shows that entrepreneurial spirit is alive and well in Stockport. I wish all the entrants the best of luck with their ideas.”
Councillor Patrick McAuley, Stockport Council’s Executive Member for Thriving Economy, added:
“Stockport is awash with entrepreneurial talent and the quality of the shortlisted candidates is high. The shortlisted entrants have real potential and we look forward to seeing how this competition can help them to succeed.”
For more information about Stockport Business & Innovation Centre visit www.stockport-bic.co.uk or call 0161 443 4100.