Rawlison Butler’s Head of Commerce and Technology, Mark O’Shea, was one of just six judges selecting the winner of the inaugural Young Start Up Talent Competition.
Click here to view the video of the final and the announcement of the winner.
Thomas Williams, 17 and James Seear, 17, scooped first prize in Young Start-Up Talent, a Dragon’s Den style competition for 16-21 year olds. The pair now have the opportunity to launch their business concept Recyclabook thanks to the prize of a year’s free support of business services, worth £50,000, provided by the projects’ sponsors including leading Sussex Law firm Rawlison Butler LLP.
The Recyclabook concept will allow students to post used textbooks to them and receive a guaranteed payment within 10 days. The books will then be re-sold onto next year’s students online. Thomas and James’ £50,000 prize includes all the business services a new start-up requires, including legals, accounting, training, mentorship, free banking, IT and publicity - all donated by sponsor firms in the Gatwick Diamond.
Business leaders from across the region gathered last week to celebrate the results which showcased some exceptional entrepreneurial talent.
The other business concepts which made it to the final five Dragon’s Den style final included a personalised shoe design business, a motorcycle parts recycling company, a innovative calendar design concept and an electronic products installation service.
Judge Mark O’ Shea, Partner and Head of the Commerce and Technology at Leading Law firm Rawlison Butler LLP praised the five groups of finalists who were competing for the top spot, saying: “The very best of Young Gatwick enterprise is represented at the Young Start up Talent Awards. The enthusiasm, innovation and hard work shown by all of our contestants was inspiring. We found all the individuals within the final to be determined, creative and passionate about their business idea. Taking part as a judge for the competition has been a great experience.”
Young Start Up Talent was designed to inspire potential future business leaders and was open to any individual aged between 16 and 21 years of age who currently, lives, studies or works within the Gatwick Diamond. Applicants were required to submit a three minute video to the Young Start Up Talent website outlining what their business idea is, how they plan to take it to market if they won and how it would become a profit-making business.
Due to the success and popularity of the competition, there are plans to make the competition an annual event. This means Mark, along with the rest of the expert panel of judges, can look forward to growing their Dragons Den style judging skills.
For further information on the competition, please go to the website:
