Christmas Comes Early For Red Button Design

There were more than 180 entries from 23 countries, submitted to the the Oxford University 21st Century Challenge Competition each focusing on one of the three challenge tracks:

Tomorrow’s People – business ideas covering healthcare and medical challenges
Tomorrow’s Planet – business ideas covering environmental challenges
Tomorrow’s Wealth – business ideas covering social inequality and distribution of wealth challenges

Red Button submitted to the Tomorrow's People track.and were selected as one of the nine finalists (three from each track) to go forward to the grand final where they present their business plans to a panel of judges before an audience of venture capitalists, entrepreneurs, social entrepreneurs, policy makers, academics and corporate guests.

I am thrilled and stunned to be able to report that not only did Red Button Win their challenge track scooping the £10,000 Tomorrow's People Award..

BUT

We also scooped the 2007 Global Prize winning another £35,000!

£45,000 will literally allow us to get through the next stage of prototype development without selling off any equity meaning that when we do come to sell a percentage of our company the risk will be significantly lowered due to further prototype advancement and we will recieve a significantly better price!

We are so thrilled, so so thrilled!

Social Suicide via Webcam

Well, we have be listed as finalists in the prestigious Oxford 21st Century Challenge, sponsored by NESTA (National Endowment for Science, Technology and the Arts). Celebrating new technologies for global change.

We are one of 3 finalists in our track and on Wednesday James and I make the long drive south to Oxford in preparation to pitch for our lives. If you are so cruelly inclined you can watch this evil spectacle live via webcam at 3:10pm Thursday 29th November (http://www.sbs.ox.ac.uk/21challenge/news/Events.htm)

We have no delusions of winning, such are the companies we are up against, however we are very flattered to be able to add "finalist" to our wrap sheet against such a well regarded competition.

At least that's what we keep telling ourselves.

Troops Stand Down!

We have been lead to believe that our participation in the thing-that-shall-not-be-named will hit your screens in December so you’ve a couple of weeks yet. Hold tight though, we’re worth it I promise!

Social Enterprise Day.

I was interviewed by BBC Radio again today, you can listen to the programme here. I was broadcast live at 6:40am from the floor of Lizzie’s lounge in my her dressing gown and nursing a mug of tea but if I sound groggy or not too awake, do me the courtesy of blaming the bad phone line… ;o)

Pussycat Pussycat where have you been?

Well we didn’t scoop any awards in London much to my disappointment but we were up against some strong competition and some tough judges with tricky questions but we met the PrimeMinister which is none too shabby I suppose. The event at Westminster was very interesting as well. Met some very interesting people (other participants more than the MPs) I have a lot to think about with regards to how we market the company, we don’t really know who we are yet and need to get a clear idea before the media attention arrives…changes are afoot.

Watch this space!

Special Government Invitation

I almost deleted the email I recieved titled "Special Government Invitation" - well, wouldn't you?

"This email is to invite you to join John Hutton MP, Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform, to a consultation event in Westminster about Government plans to develop a new Enterprise Framework."

Yeah right.

"We are really pleased to announce that we have been asked by the Government to identify young entrepreneurs, would-be entrepreneurs and women business owners and entrepreneurs who will shape the future face of enterprise in the UK. We think this includes you and so we would like to offer you the opportunity to shape the Government’s thinking on how to inspire and support enterprise in two consultation events ...."

But no, this is for real.

I'll be heading down to Westminster to represent the young, female entrepreneurs of the UK.
(God help us all!)

Back on British Soil

We have now arrived back in the UK from San Francisco to an impressive backlog of work and the substantially more pleasant news that the product has been short listed for the Make Your Mark Enterprising Young Brits 2007 competition, run by the British Chambers of Commerce, CBI, Federation of Small Businesses and Institute of Directors as part of National Enterprise Week. Winning this would really cement our position as a UK "company to watch" and you can help! There will be a 'people's choice' category so i'll keep you posted and maybe you will slip a vote in our direction. ;o)