Sproggie wins Ignite

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2016
Ignite winner Michael Mailling

A Penryn-based baby feeding product company has won the 2011 Ignite Business Plan Competition.

Sproggie triumphed last night at the Carnmarth Hotel in Newquay ahead of nine other finalists, following a day of Dragon’s Den-style presentations to the judging panel.

Sproggie is a new business concept that was developed from an idea after product designer, Michael Mailling, saw a mother struggling to feed her infant child whilst on a long haul air flight.

Sproggie has developed a patented clip-on spoon for the pouched baby food market that transforms the pouch into the most convenient food accessory for on-the-go feeding with no mess. Mailling believes that this product has the potential to do the same for baby foods as baby bottles did for milk.

Celebrating at the news of his win, he said: “This proves that with pure vision, creativity and a bit of enthusiasm you can get a long way. I’m delighted to have won the competition and I believe that Sproggie can represent the county as an international brand, and best of all it’s a simple idea.”

Sproggie’s reward is a prize fund worth more than £100k which comprises of:

  • Up to £25k European cash grant from Oxford Innovation
  • Radio marketing campaign through Pirate FM
  • Business and finance advice from Winter Rule
  • Legal advice from Foot Anstey Solicitors
  • Brand, design or web services with Creative Edge
  • Website design, development, e-commerce and conversion rate optimisation services through Net Insight
  • One year’s free office space in the Formation Zone at Pool Innovation Centre
  • Special feature on the winner in Business Cornwall magazine
  • Human resources support from Tamar HR

Chair of judges, Lucy Jewson, owner of children’s clothing company Frugi, said: “The overall standard of entries was extremely high and our ten finalists were exceptional. We selected Sproggie as our winner as we felt the business showed great potential for growth through innovative product design and development.”

The other finalists in the running for the prize were, Hungry Hector based in St Erth; The Holiday Lets Company in Truro; VeloTec in Mullion; Primal Energy in Falmouth; CarbonMate in Hayle; Flock Follies in Gweek; GP Assist in Redruth; Duck Soup in Newquay; and Biolight in Hayle.