Awards celebrate British business success'
Seaweed, shipping containers, clay plaster and macaroons feature in the Citi Microentrepreneurship Awards shortlist.
A diverse bunch of young, social and micro entrepreneurs have been named as finalists for the Citi Microentrepreneurship Awards. The awards, a partnership between Responsible Finance and the Citi Foundation, celebrate the small and dynamic businesses that are flourishing, with the support of responsible finance providers. All the finalists have received finance from a member of Responsible Finance after being unable to get help from mainstream providers.
This year’s finalists include the biggest BMX mail order company in Europe, an innovative Cornish company that designs and manufactures bespoke buildings from recycled shipping containers, and a Northern Irish Food Company which has developed a new fresh and ready to use seaweed product.
The awards will highlight inspiring young entrepreneurs who have created successful businesses – this year a technical direct marketing company and family retail business. Social entrepreneurs also feature on the shortlist – a community library and hub, a macaroon producer and a provider of accommodation for vulnerable young people – all run by people making a difference in their community.
Responsible finance providers will be enjoying the spotlight on the awards night. The people on a mission to help those unable to get finance elsewhere, to promote financial inclusion and support economic growth will get some much deserved recognition.
Responsible Finance CEO Jennifer Tankard said:
“We are thrilled to see the breadth and depth of entrepreneurial talent amongst the finalists for this year’s awards. The sole traders and multi-million pound businesses have one thing in common – that they have achieved their success with help from a responsible finance provider. Responsible finance is clearly having a significant impact on British businesses, creating jobs and prosperity. Over the last ten years responsible finance providers have helped over 50,000 businesses.”
The Citi Microentrepreneurship Awards will take place on 28th March in Cardiff. They are the centrepiece of the Responsible Finance 2017 conference – more details are available at
http://responsiblefinance.org.uk/events/
The Citi Microentrepreneurship Awards are now run in over 30 countries. Through the awards, the Citi Foundation has invested more than $12 million to highlight the contributions of microentrepreneurs and microfinance institutions (MFIs) to their local economies.
Further details of all the finalists are available at:
http://responsiblefinance.org.uk/events/citi-microentrepreneurship-awards/shortlist/
