Start-Up Stars Awards 2008 - Finalists announced

Ten start-up companies have beaten off stiff opposition to compete for the record £50,000 prize in the HSBC Start-Up Awards in London next week.

A further four start-up businesses will be vying for the HSBC Green Award, introduced in 2007 to recognise the best new business doing the most to help the environment. The winner will receive a £5,000 cash prize.

The Awards invite entries from UK companies that have been trading for under three years and can demonstrate the required management skills and ideas to make their businesses successful.

Start-Up Stars - List of Finalists

• Fathom Systems Ltd. (Kincardineshire) - An underwater technology company that makes equipment for the offshore oil and gas industry. The company started in 2005 with £100 in the bank and this year they anticipate a turnover of over £3 million.
• BrewDog Brewery (Aberdeenshire) - The company was set-up in 2007 by best friends James Watt and Martin Dickie who have a passion for high quality beer. In less than 12 months they have secured export contracts to nine different countries, and are stocked by Tesco, Sainsbury’s and Oddbins.
• Spectrum ESM Ltd. (Leicestershire) - An electrical contracting company, was set-up by James Sirrell in October 2006 to supply qualified electricians in the Leicestershire area.
• ChemistDirect.co.uk (Birmingham) - Launched in November 2007, the site offers more than 30,000 products through its website, with qualified pharmacists overseeing all orders which are despatched from the company’s Birmingham warehouse.
• EaKo Ltd. (Bournemouth) - Launched last August to address the growing problem of waste, the company uses reclaimed industrial and commercial waste for conversion into luxury goods and accessories.
• The Chocolate Elephant (Cambridge) - Started in February 2007 by sisters Victoria Nielson and Emma Harrison, The Chocolate Elephant Ltd offers ‘A trunkful of unforgettable gifts and clothing supporting fair and ethical trading’.
• 4Down Distribution Ltd. (Hastings) - Launched in April 2006, 4Down Distribution Ltd. imports, markets and distributes BMX bikes, equipment and clothing.
• Keep It Kool Shade Sails Ltd. (Northamptonshire) - Launched by Tony Woodfield and his brother Wayne in January 2006 and produces shade sails, suitable for use in outdoor areas such as school and nursery playgrounds.
• Anna Alla Ltd. (London) - Launched in November 2005 to bring ‘two chicks’ pasteurised free range liquid egg white to the UK market.
• Bulldog Natural Grooming (The Little Wing Trading Company Ltd.) (London) - Established in February 2006, Bulldog Natural Grooming is set to fill the gap in the market for natural and ‘greener’ male grooming products.