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UMIC proud to promote EnterPrize

Last night, UMIC attended the glamorous New East Manchester EnterPrize for local businesses awards evening. Hosted at the spectacular Monastery in Gorton, guests were mesmerised by the stunning venue and indulged in a lavish 3 course meal. UMIC was delighted to be one of the sponsors for this invaluable competition, along with MSP, OCP, NWDA, NEM, Blue Orchid and Manchester City Council.

The New East Manchester EnterPrize programme is designed to aid those companies that show outstanding promise and growth, with the opportunity to further their potential by providing them with a cash prize, business consultation and introductions.

The aim is to find those businesses of real promise and help them identify and act on areas of growth. This is to be managed through a programme of one on one consultancy work, business planning and workshop work along with some cash to help along the way...

The following 6 businesses beat off stiff competition from 90 plus companies, scooping up £3000 prize money each; Project:Simply, Key for the City, FC United of Manchester, Sunde Technologies, 4D Creative and Pedal Precision.

Overall there were 3 awards to be given out; Young Entrepreneur, Rising Star and the All Star business award. Our very own, Dr Laura Etchells was on the judging panel for the category of Young Entrepreneur of the Year, an award introduced in 2010 to make a special dedication to the innovation, determination and success of a young person in business.

Key for the City, an inventive, new lifestyle membership discount card available to all people living and working in and around Greater Manchester and Project:Simply, a full service digital marketing group that can give you all the expertise you need to turn your creative vision into a successful web property were the final contestants for this award. A unanimous, yet difficult decision resulted in Key for the City being announced the winner of the Young Entrepreneur award. The enterprising young duo, Lee Gilbert and Glen Kirk, upon winning, received an further £2000 (in addition to the £3000 prize money) and 12 months of business support services from One Central Park including; virtual incubation, business mentoring, business information and conference/event attendance.

Marj Boyer, chief executive of One Central Park, one of the Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award sponsors said: ”These are two fantastic local lads based in East Manchester, who have shown total commitment by building this business whilst also holding down other full-time jobs. Their enthusiasm and belief in their product really showed and they have well structured plans for market expansion in a sector with real growth potential.”

The Rising Star award was claimed by Richard Salisbury from Pedal Precision, a professional and bespoke bike fit and cycling injury specialist. Based at the Manchester Velodrome, Richard acts as a physiotherapist and bike fitter to the British cycling team, ensuring the bicycle components and accessories have been specifically chosen for their injury prevention, ergonomic and performance benefits.

Finally, the overall winners which earned the top prize of All Star business award was claimed by 4D creative, an innovative business which design and install immersive learning spaces in primary and secondary schools for children of all abilities. Ben Willetts and Cathy Cross, who both have backgrounds in theatre production, sound and stage lighting, only set up the business this year and the company’s turnover has grown by £0.5million in the last six months. They are now looking to expand their product into hospitals. Upon receiving this award, 4D Creative received the additional £7000 prize money which will be spent on tailor-made software and also invested in obtaining intellectual property rights on their products.

Carol Bartram, Head of Economic Development at New East Manchester and chair of the judging panel, commenting on the winners said: “I really believe 4D Creative are going to be world leaders in their field. The panel were unanimous in their decision that this company were the out-right winners.  The way Ben and Cathy run their business is exemplary, with excellent cash flow and currently £500, 000 of orders on their books. They have grown their staff from two to seven in the past six months and also use local suppliers for installation work, creating further job opportunities.”   

But there were no losers in this competition. Councillor Jim Battle, Deputy Leader of Manchester City Council said: “It’s great to see such a good range of entrepreneurs short-listed for these awards. The level of interest and number of entrants shows how enterprising the businesses in East Manchester really are. Each one is already a winner in their own right.” All 6 finalists received free admission to a business workshop focusing on advanced growth, several one on one consultations with some of the UK’s leading business angels and investors, business planning services to produce the perfect business plan and introductions to investors, angel networks and potential tactical partners throughout the competition. In addition to this, each business received an EnterPrize award and £3000 each.

Councillor Jim Battle, Deputy Leader of Manchester City Council, said: “East Manchester has always been a very enterprising part of the city so it is fitting that we continue to celebrate this through the EnterPrize Awards which recognise and reward talented businesses and entrepreneurs.  These winners are all shining examples of what can be achieved through commitment and hard work.” 

Mark Hughes, Acting Chief Executive of the NWDA, said: "It is excellent to see the entrepreneurial spirit is thriving in east Manchester. Enterprise and innovation help to drive business growth in east Manchester and it is important to recognise those businesses who are doing well and the committed individuals behind them."