Young entrepreneurs recognised in ‘Big Pitch’ initiative

Cariocca Chairman Cleve McCurdy has judged the national final of Salford University’s ‘Big Pitch’ initiative, which recognises excellence among young entrepreneurs.

The initiative, which followed a Dragons Den style format, saw young entrepreneurs from across the country pitch their business ideas to a panel of judges at Salford University for the chance to secure funding.

Ashema Edwards won the competition with her business ‘Dinky Do Dah’, which offers nail pampering sessions to children, and received a £500 cash prize from Cariocca.

Andrew Marshall, who is developing a foldaway gym that can be easily stored at home and Charlie Hesse, who is bringing out an app to help people find out what is in medication they’re taking and how it may affect them, also received prizes of £250 each.

Cleve McCurdy said: “It was a tremendous pleasure to have been involved as a judge in the Big Pitch initiative with Salford University.

“Many of the businesses and business plans we saw young entrepreneurs presenting to us throughout the whole competition were exceptional.

“It was genuinely inspiring to see the innovative ideas and products that were presented to us. On this evidence it certainly seems to me that our next generation of entrepreneurs is in rude health – and that’s a very exciting prospect.”