A company that specialises in designing and manufacturing bespoke modular buildings from recycled shipping containers, was last night crowned winner of the Ignite 2014 business competition.
Truro-based ISO Spaces picked up a prize package worth £120k at an awards ceremony held at the National Maritime Museum in Falmouth.
“What a fantastic way to end our first full year in business,” said company co-founder Ben Treleaven, who received the award alongside fellow directors Gregg Curtis and Andy Orr.
“The competition this year was so strong and it reflects the innovative and entrepreneurial spirit that underpins Cornwall’s economy. I and the rest of the ISO Spaces team want to use this prestigious award and the amazing prize that goes with it as a springboard to continued growth.”
The Ignite competition was delivered by Oxford Innovation, a leading provider of specialist business coaching as part of the Coaching for High Growth programme, funded across Cornwall by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).
Oxford Innovation programme manager, Alan Street, said: “I extend warm congratulations to the ISO Spaces team and I’m delighted their highly innovative product and sustainable business model has been recognised with this much sought after award.
“Oxford Innovation looks forward to supporting ISO Spaces with coaching for continued growth.”
ISO Spaces has received commissions from recognised household names J D Wetherspoons, Jeep, Fiat and The BBC. The company also created retail units for the world’s first ‘Pop-Up Mall’ at Boxpark Shoreditch in East London, and is currently working with Cornwall Council to transform redundant land in the county into innovative spaces to attract new business and support the local economy.
Another winner in Ignite 2014 was Excel Innovation, recipient of the Innovative Product award for its bilge pump supplied to the leisure marine market.
On collecting the award, which was sponsored by Buff Industrial Design and NJ Akers, company director Andrew Davenport said: “Ignite 2014 has been the catalyst for the development of our new product, helping me to really focus on research and turning Excel Innovation into a real opportunity.”
Ignite 2014 entrants were required to film and submit a three minute pitch and a written executive summary to promote their concept or business. An independent judging panel made up of experienced business leaders from across Cornwall met to evaluate the entries and eight companies reached the final shortlist.
Each finalist was supported by a member of the Oxford Innovation coaching team during the last stage of the competition to further refine their business plan before formally pitching their proposal to the judging panel.
To find out more, visit www.ignitecornwall.com
