Shaking Hands win Croydon Start-Up Talent competition

A small business has won £50,000 worth of business products and services in the Croydon Young Start-Up Talent competition.
Shaking Hands Interactive Partnership were the first winners of the competition, held in association with Gatwick.

Croydon Young StartUp Talent was launched as part of a Coast to Capital initiative to provide support for young entrepreneurs and received funding through the Business Growth Grants, part of the Business Navigator programme.

The initiative, which is set to seek out the region’s most promising entrepreneurial spirit, whittled a range of applicants from across Croydon down to a final six entrepreneurs.

Robert O’Sullivan and Laurence Grant were crowned this year’s winners with their business providing a platform for Croydon-based small-medium business owners to inform, smarten and grow their businesses.

Laurence said “We are so thrilled to have been chosen as this year’s Croydon winner, this experience has been invaluable and the year head looks very exciting.”

The process began in April when selected applicants took part in a business-know how workshop followed by a 121 speed networking event at Jurys Inn Croydon.

After having their businesses scrutinised by sponsors from across the region, a final four were chosen to face a panel of business professionals.

It was at this stage that finalists battled it out to take home the prize fund worth up to £50k of business products and services that can help their business take flight.

Three guest speakers featured at the showcase event, shining a light on the significance of the initiative. Attendees heard from 2015 Croydon winner, Stephanie Kane who is making her mark on the creative community of Croydon with her quick-selling paintings.

Annabel Fogden of The Croydon Chamber of Commerce said “It’s a really inspiring, creative and supportive process which is great for young people in business.”

To find out more visit www.youngstartuptalent.co.uk

http://www.coast2capital.org.uk/images/young_start_up_talent_C2C.pdf