Harry Daymond of Kart Kompany
Young Start-up Talent, an entrepreneurial initiative powered by NatWest and aimed at young entrepreneurs aged 16-25 years old, were honoured to host their Gatwick Diamond Showcase for 2017 at Lingfield Park Resort on Monday 20th March 2017. After months of hard work, business workshops and presentations, it was announced that Harry Daymond of Kart Kompany was the lucky winner of the ultimate business prize fund of products and services worth £50,000.
Following the announcement, Harry stated, “I can’t believe it. When I was waiting for Matt to announce the winner I could feel my heart beating faster and faster. I am so happy right now.”
Harry now plans to focus on growing his business using the tools and advice given to him by Young Start up Talent, the Judges and sponsors.
David Kickham – Operations Director from Thales stated “I thoroughly enjoyed being part of the process and look forward to seeing how Harry progresses from here.”
Fellow judges Matt Tyson from Richard Place Dobson and Daryl Gayler – Director of NatWest both added “we were all impressed with the talent and calibre of the candidates this year and wish them all the best for future.”
Young Start-up Talent was also honoured to welcome guest speakers JubyLee Bakes, an inspirational group of young entrepreneurs who won the YST initiative for Gatwick in 2016, and Neil Laughton, a former Royal Marine Commando and Special Forces Officer turned entrepreneur who has founded a dozen businesses.
Simon from JubyLee Bakes stated that he was “very excited to see who wins this year as he can remember how exciting it was for them”.
As well as the winner, the other finalists, who also impressed the judges with their professional pitches, included:
Will Bower, with his company 'Royalty Three' - a viral marketing and video production company with a twist;
A group of young entrepreneurs, including; Sidney Ellis, Henry Lagrange, Daniel Wheate and Thomas Axtell with their business 'Counter Play Café', which brings people together through gaming.
Abbie Pritchard, with her food app, Nutritive that tells the consumer the specific amount of nutrients, such as fat and sugar, in their food hoping to prevent bad nutrition.
And finally, Robbie Walder and Josh Leggett, with 'Label' - an online platform that allows clothing retailers to sample their stock to young male adults;
Founding Partners of the initiative Lorraine Nugent and Matt Turner further added "we have had a terrific year and feel humbled to have worked alongside so many youngsters with such exciting futures ahead of them and wish them all well. We would like to thank all of our judges and sponsors for making it all possible as without their support and generosity Young Start-up Talent would not exist.
To find out more please visit www.youngstartuptalent.co.uk
Sponsors of this year’s initiative included:
NatWest
Thales UK
Creative Pod
Federation of Small Businesses
London Gatwick Airport
Fastsigns
Bennett Christmas
Structured Communications
Media Word Waves
Basepoint Business Centre
Richard Place Dobson Accountants
Reigate & Banstead Borough Council
Platinum Business
Sussex Chamber of Commerce
Pivotal Moment
Sussex Chamber of Commerce
Gatwick Diamond Business Association
Horsham District Council
Beta Futures
Lingfield Park Resort
Lets Do Business Group
Start-up Loans
Crawley Borough Council
Beta Futures
West Sussex County Times
Crawley Observer
Mid Sussex Times
Gatwick Diamond Jobs
Future Capital LP