Entrepreneurs win investment and mentoring in county innovation challenge

By Tim Aldred

23 Jun 2022

Three entrepreneurs have won cash prizes and access to mentoring support after impressing the judges at the Lancashire Innovation Challenge.

The project, a Dragon's Den-inspired competition, was developed by Innovate Lancashire, part of the Business Growth Team at Lancashire County Council, with support from Shout Network and Create Education Project.

Held at Shout Network's offices at the Docks in Preston, the final saw six finalists present their ideas to a panel of judges to compete for investment and mentoring support. The event was hosted by Aaron Willis, from Chorley, who featured in the 2022 season of The Apprentice.

First prize went to Gemma Connolly from Scoff Paper, which sells personalised, edible cards for dogs. Gemma impressed the panel with how far she has come already, getting her product into large retail chains such as Clintons Cards and B&M, with eyes now on the online market.

Second place went to Susanna Bocccaccio from Brilliant Trees Media, who has come up with a way to allow young children to express emotions and look after their wellbeing.

Conor Walsh took third place, with a novel invention that supports electricians and streamlines part of their working day, while reducing waste, something he is especially passionate about.

Gemma won £15,000; Susanna won £10,000 and Conor won £5,000. All the contestants will also get six hours of mentoring support and got to take home a trophy each.

Some of the finalists who didn't take home any prize money, but impressed nonetheless, included Paul White, co-founder of The Modern Milkman. Paul brought his new venture before the judges, telling them he sees a gap in the market for window cleaners and setting out how he will bring his experience from his modernised milk delivery service to this new market.

Roger and Theo Tech demonstrated to the panel how small businesses can utilise cloud technology without the big budget of large businesses, while another company presented their plans for a new kind of mobility scooter that is safe to ride on pavements.

County councillor Aidy Riggott, cabinet member for economic development and growth at Lancashire County Council, said: "A huge congratulations to all of the entrants who took part in this year's Lancashire Innovation Challenge, especially to our winners.

"Supporting our businesses to realise their ideas, to grow and flourish, is a key priority for the county council. Lancashire is brimming with innovation, as was evident by the impressive ideas and products brought before the judges this year."

Enjoyed this? Read more from Tim Aldred

Latest news

1

Construction begins on new Civil Service office building in Talbot Gateway Alan McBride Muse Will Town Defence Infrastructure Organisation Jennifer Chard Defence Business Services Cllr Lynn Williams Blackpool Council Garry Bowker Vinci

Construction begins on new Civil Service office building in Talbot Gateway

20 May 2025

2

Skiddle raises over £750,000 for charities Skiddle cheque presentation to Alder Hey Hospital

Skiddle raises over £750,000 for charities

20 May 2025

3

Former Victorian Hotel approved for residential conversion The site

Former Victorian Hotel approved for residential conversion

19 May 2025

4

REVOLUTION PARK: Work starts on Darwen’s new home of advanced manufacturing Oliver Webber, Tracy Clavell-Bate and Tim Webber from Barnfield Group with Cllr Phil Riley, second from right, Leader of Blackburn with Darwen Council

REVOLUTION PARK: Work starts on Darwen’s new home of advanced manufacturing

19 May 2025

5

Two Cuckoo Gins named winners in The Gin Guide Awards 2025 Mark Long

Two Cuckoo Gins named winners in The Gin Guide Awards 2025

19 May 2025

Background image for hub sign up block

LBV Hub

Leverage Lancashire Business View platforms

Post your news
Post your events
Post your offers
Build your network
Improve your SEO
Gain coverage in the magazine
Sign-up
Events
LBV122 May/June Launch Event
121 Lancashire Business View Magazine Launch
Networking
21 May 2025

LBV122 May/June Launch Event

Lancaster and Morecambe College, Lancaster, LA1 2TY

08:30 - 10:30

Sub36 Networking
Networking
11 Jun 2025

Sub36 Networking

British Jewellery School, Scorton, PR3 1BA

15:00 - 17:00

Lancashire Net Zero Carbon Conference
Net Zero Carbon Social 1200pxtrident 2
Networking
18 Jun 2025

Lancashire Net Zero Carbon Conference

Crow Wood Hotel & Spa Resort, Burnley, BB12 0RT

08:30 - 13:00

Lancashire Built Environment Conference 2025
BEC 315 X 315 Px
Networking
25 Sep 2025

Lancashire Built Environment Conference 2025

Blackpool Football Club, Blackpool, FY1 6HX

08:30 - 13:00

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course

Preston Campus, Preston , PR1 2HE

09:00 - 17:00

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course

Preston Campus, Preston, PR1 2HE

08:00 - 17:00

RISE - The Academy for Female Leaders and Managers
WENDY BOWERS RISE Illustrstion copy.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
02 Apr 2025 - 08 Oct 2025

RISE - The Academy for Female Leaders and Managers

East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce, Clayton le Moors, BB5 5JR

09:00 - 15:30

The Business Network Central & East Lancashire
LBV Hub Networking
22 May 2025 - 22 May 2025

The Business Network Central & East Lancashire

Mytton Fold, Langho, BB6 8AB

11:30 - 14:15

Preston Freelancer Meet-Up: May
Freelancer Meet-Up May.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
22 May 2025 - 22 May 2025

Preston Freelancer Meet-Up: May

society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

10:00 - 11:30

Amber River True Bearing quarterly investment seminar
LBV Hub Seminars
22 May 2025 - 22 May 2025

Amber River True Bearing quarterly investment seminar

Cottons Hotel & Spa , Knutsford, WA16 0SU

16:00 - 18:00

Liverpool Business Expo 2025
https---cdn.evbuc.com-images-881365363-4862066883-1-original.20241023-085714.jpeg.jpg
LBV Hub Awards
23 May 2025 - 23 May 2025

Liverpool Business Expo 2025

Aintree Racecourse , Liverpool , L9 5AS

09:00 - 15:00

Advantage: AI – A Workshop for Business Leaders – May 29
Artboard 15.png.png
LBV Hub Seminars
29 May 2025 - 29 May 2025

Advantage: AI – A Workshop for Business Leaders – May 29

Door4 Office, Burnley Wharf, Manchester Road, Burnley, BB11 1JG

09:00 - 11:00

Advertise with us

Reaching 50,000 members, our print, digital and event platforms offer a fantastic way to raise your business profile and help you grow.

Find out more LBV122 Online Graphic
Subscribe now

Weekly news bulletin