News

November 27, 2009

Nation’s Start-Up Stars revealed

The winner of HSBC's annual Start-Up Stars competition, The UK Foodhall, has been presented with a £25,000 cash prize and £5,000 worth of Google advertising at an awards ceremony in London.

The UK Foodhall supplies healthy British meals to schools. Judges were impressed by the firm's support for British farmers in getting their meat on to the menu for children across the country.

The UK Foodhall founder, Karen McQuade, said that the award would prove to suppliers and customers that they are dealing with a credible firm.

"We are absolutely elated," she said. "Winning the award gives our customers, suppliers and investors confidence in our company. We're only a two year-old company and people are making decisions to procure their food with us using funds from the public purse, so it's a stamp of approval to show them.

"With the money we've won, we're going to employ a drama graduate to teach primary children about the importance of healthy lifestyle and nutrition through dance, drama and play, using our products," she added.

Other winners included Power Cable Services Limited, which won the International award for its work identifying gaps in the cable industry, and Becothings, which was selected as the Green award winner for producing an eco-friendly potty.

McQuade added that other start-ups shouldn't hesitate to enter the awards.
"Entering the awards brings your team together and gives them something to aim for," she said. "It created a real buzz in the office, and my customers, suppliers and my stakeholders were really behind it."

Secretary of State for Business, Lord Mandelson, said: "The HSBC Start-Up Stars represent the very best in British enterprise.

"Defying some of the toughest economic conditions for decades, these companies are succeeding in sectors across our economy and markets across the world," he added.