07 June 2010
- Fluvial Innovations Ltd named as regional finalist beating more than 3600 entrants
-World famous entrepreneur Elle Macpherson backs ‘Take One Small Step’ competition for the last chance to win £50,000 for their business
- Deadline for voting 4th July 2010
The Barclays Business ‘Take One Small Step’ competition, which launched in March awarding ten budding business minds across the UK £50,000 each to transform their innovative vision into a reality, has named Fluvial Innovations Ltd as one of three regional finalist’s in the South West.
Beating more than 3600 entrants, Fluvial Innovations Ltd which supplies innovative flood defence barriers and is based in Bournemouth, will now need the public to vote for them if they stand any chance of winning £50,000 in cash to bring their idea to life.
Fluvial Innovations Ltd – Floodstop modular flood barrier needs your vote!
Vote online for Fluvial https://www.takeonesmallstep.co.uk/Entry/View/534
Or
Text FLUVIAL to 87222
www.takeonesmallstep.co.uk (South West)
Managing Director at Fluvial Innovations Ltd, Simon Phelps, said: “My idea actually came to me at university when I was watching a TV report on a devastating flood event in Sussex in 2000. It seemed ridiculous to me that councils were handing out ineffective sandbags that just didn’t work, and after spending a year in industry I decided I’d develop a flood defence method that did work and could be rapidly deployed by one person.
“Even though I’d love for my business to be a huge commercial success, our main motivation is to help individuals at risk to obtain peace of mind – when a floods happen there is an emotional cost as well as a monetary expense to those affected. Our Floodstop barrier actually works, so I am passionate about it being in the market place and helping vulnerable people at risk – all councils should be able to provide them.”
The two other South West regional finalists named today, Ovo Energy and Jessel Innovations are based in Cirencester and Reading and will be fighting hard to secure the public vote in their locality and ultimately the £50,000 winning prize on offer.
World famous entrepreneur Elle Macpherson is backing the ‘Take One Small Step’ competition and as the nation recovers from election fever, she asks the public to cast the people’s vote for the best new business idea at www.takeonesmallstep.co.uk from 7th June to the closing date of 4th July 2010.
Being in business for the last thirty years and seeing her illustrious signature lingerie line go from strength to strength, Elle knows firsthand what it takes to be a budding entrepreneur and the challenges that involves.
Elle says: “Businesses are an integral part of our local communities and the backbone of our economy. Vote now and back the business idea you think deserves to win a £50,000 boost.
“I'm delighted to be involved in the 'Take One Small Step' competition. It creates such a fantastic opportunity for local people to get involved in business and really inspires that entrepreneurial spirit that we know is thriving in the UK.”
Steve Cooper, Managing Director of Barclays Business, said: “The budding entrepreneurs in the South West need the public’s votes – we’ll only be able to award the cash to the most popular idea so it’s all up to them.”
“We know how important it is to champion local businesses so we can’t wait to see which idea comes out on top. We’ll be helping not only with prize money but also by giving the benefit of our business experience through sound advice.”
For more information on the entries, to vote for your favourite business idea and for full terms and conditions go to www.takeonesmallstep.co.uk