The inspiring finalists in the Citi Microentrepreneurship Awards 2019 were a diverse mixture of businesses and social enterprises. All are making positive economic, social and environmental contributions to their communities. Watch these short films to learn more about them.
Growth Award:
A garden shop, a zero-emission automotive engineering firm and a business which manufactures cabinets and vivariums for the pet market and contract furniture for hotels. Aquapac Ltd of Cumbernauld, Scotland (0 – 1:36 in the film); Hypermotive of Lutterworth, Leicestershire (1:36 – 3:19); The Garden Shop of Colyton, Devon (3:19 – 4:33).
Social Entrepreneur of the Year:
Nina Falk and Adam Robertson of Kalopsia Collective, a Leith social enterprise which manufactures ethically, efficiently and sustainably-made textile products. (0:00 – 1:36); Mike Kitchen of organic plant business Rocket Gardens which has created a plant growing and mail order packaging system which is 100% plastic free (1:36 – 3:18); Tim Morfin of TLG (Transforming Lives for Good), a national charity which brings hope and a future to children unable to cope within school and at risk of exclusion. (3:18)
Sustainability Award:
Bee Bee Wraps, which makes compostable food wraps as a plastic-free alternative to cling film (0:00 – 2:00); an eco-glamping and cafe at Country Bumpkin Yurts in Great Oxendon (2:00 – 3:32); Glasgow Wood Recycling, a social enterprise employing 20 people which which finds meaningful ways to reuse and recycle waste wood (3:32 – 5:21); Rocket Gardens (5:21).
Young Entrepreneur of the Year:
Hannah & Fabio Vincenti of Hitchin-based Fabio’s Gelato (0:00 – 1:41); Kieran Aitken of Orbit Education Ltd, based in Glasgow and operating in multiple locations (1:41 – 3:30); Tom McKenzie & Sam Leach, Spark: York (3:30)
The four winners were announced on 13 March 2019 with each taking home a £7,500 prize in this year’s Citi Microentrepreneurship Awards, delivered in partnership by Responsible Finance and the Citi Foundation. Find out who won and more about the Citi Microentrepreneurship Awards.