News
Great British Entrepreneur Awards – why we’re taking part
7 Jul 2021
Funding Options is excited to be sponsoring the Sustainability Entrepreneur of the Year category at this year’s Great British Entrepreneur Awards (GBEA). Our CEO, Simon Cureton, is on the judging panel, and the finalists have just been announced!
Every year, the GBEA celebrates the stories and successes of the UK’s entrepreneurial community.
What makes the GBEA so special is that it's so much more than an awards ceremony – it’s an evolving ecosystem of 50,000 entrepreneurs and their supporters, providing year-round support and opportunities for both winners and finalists.
The GBEA received a record-breaking 5,000 applications in 2021, which we think is testament to the strength and perseverance of the UK business community.
A grand total of 900 entrepreneurs from over 650 businesses –spanning eight regions – have made the shortlist.
"What marks these awards out is the way they've fostered such an impressive, supportive community of people. And that's never been more important than right now." - Rishi Sunak MP, Chancellor of the Exchequer
The founder of one of these shortlisted companies will win the title of Great British Entrepreneur of the Year in the National Final this November. The Regional Finals are set to take place in September.
The GBEA launched in 2012 and received a record 5,000 entries this year.
We’re sponsoring ‘Sustainability Entrepreneur of the Year’
Funding Options is sponsoring the Sustainability Entrepreneur of the Year category of the GBEA. Our CEO, Simon Cureton, is on the judging panel.
The GBEA champions a wide variety of categories, from Disruptor Entrepreneur of the Year to Food & Drink Entrepreneur of the Year. You can view the full list of categories and finalists here.
So, why did we choose to sponsor sustainability this year?
Because sustainability is a subject that’s close to our heart.
Representing 99 per cent of all UK businesses, SMEs will play a critical role in meeting the country’s climate goal of net-zero emissions by 2050.
Over the last 12 months we’ve been working hard to create the UK’s first Green Finance marketplace, which launched this month.
This year’s inspiring finalists are pioneering sustainable practices in a number of ways, from growing seaweed to create carbon negative products and services to planting a tree for each product sold – and much more in between.
The Sustainability Entrepreneur of the Year finalists are:
South West
Howard Gunstock & Dave Walker-Nix | Carbon Kapture
Luke Declan McFadden | CGS Contractors and Celtic Turf
Emma Askew | Earth Minutes
Dan Yates & Mehrnaz Tajmir | Greener
Charlie Guy | LettUs Grow
Tom Carr & Richard Pearce | Verto Homes
Midlands
David Hanney & Nick Smith | Alpkit
Dawn Foxall | Foxology
Madeleine Willis | GoodToBee
Mike Beck | TUS Ltd
Matthew Porter | VASO
Eliana Vanekova | ZeroSmart
South East
Eliott Flack & Max Newman | EKO Mattress
Alessandro Rocchi | Georganics
Victoria Wood | Greener Beauty
David Macdonald | The Path
Josh Brodie Bland & Cacey Margaret Barks | Tweedy Clothing
Kathryn Jonas | Wild + Stone
Wales
Gerwyn Holmes | Ecoslurps
Jane Fellner | Loopster
Gabriella Diana | Onesta
Geryn Evans | Project Blu
Kerry Mackay | ScrubbiesUK
Meghan Gane | SEY Cosmetics
Scotland & Northern Ireland
Elizaveta & Andrew Bennett | Arkdefo
Rosemary Eribé | ERIBE Knitwear
Evan Gwynne Davies, Daniel Marek & Michael Pascuito | Scrapp
Emma & Fergus Macdonald | The Tartan Blanket Co
London & East of England
Ashleigh Bishop | Bagboard
Eve Kekeh | Bundlee
Jyotirmoy & Somali Roy | GreenEnco
Geoff van Sonsbeeck | House of Baukjen
Ali Clabburn | Liftshare Group
Ella Shone | TOPUP TRUCK
Ellenor McIntosh & Alborz Bozorgi | Twipes
Grace Beverley | WE ARE TALA
North West, Yorkshire & the Humber
Rob Nicoll & Rowan Minkley | Chip[s] Board
Morten Toft Bech | Meatless Farm
Robert Hughes | Pivotal Products
Simon Payne | Sole Responsibility
Joe Darwen | Veo.
North East
Ruth & Mark Oldfield | Coffee & Kin
Kassi Emadi | nuddy
Cecily Handerson & Katherine Rhodes | PomPom Climbing Triangles
Louisa Rogers | Studio Courtenay
Paula Jardine | The Eco Dog Design Company
“It really is one of the strongest shortlists we’ve ever had, and the fact that so many exceptional people have applied during such a tough year is a testament to the resolve and entrepreneurial talent that exists across the UK.” - Francesca James, GBEA founder
Supporting sustainable businesses through finance
We’re looking forward to supporting the shortlisted candidates through to the regional finals and beyond as they continue to succeed and grow.
If, like the shortlisted entrepreneurs above, you’re a sustainability-conscious business owner, you can apply for finance through Funding Options’ Green Finance marketplace.
You can use our platform to find funding for the purchase of ‘green assets’ such as solar panels or electric vehicles. If you’re committed to participating in renewable, low or zero carbon activities, we can match you with our panel of green lenders that align with your goals.
Whether sustainability is an intrinsic part of your business’ DNA, or if you’re looking to finance your first ever ‘green’ project, we’re here to help.
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