£100K AWARDED TO INNOVATIVE START-UP LOBSTER POD LTD FROM DALGETY BAY AT SCOTEDGE AWARDS

Wednesday 10th December 2014, Dalgety Bay start-up Lobster Pod Ltd was given a huge financial boost last night, winning £100,000 at the ScotEdge awards. The awards are given to the new Scottish businesses which were best able to demonstrate their ability to grow and bring valuable turnover and jobs into the Scottish economy. Business Gateway Fife client Lobster Pod Ltd is an innovative live shellfish transportation system.

The award ceremony which took place at RBS Gogarburn HQ in Edinburgh, saw a panel of some of Scotland’s leading business people award Co-Inventors Erin Todd & Dr Keith Todd  financial support as they seek to grow their business. Lobster Pod Ltd pitched for three minutes to the panel of judges in front of a live audience of 300 people and then faced a Q&A of nine minutes. Sir Tom Hunter, The Hunter Foundation; Alison Rose, Royal Bank of Scotland; Bill Morrow, Angel’s Den; Kevin Dorren, Diet Chef and Eleanor Mitchell, Scottish Enterprise were the judges.

The scoring criteria for applications covered Business Growth Potential, Entrepreneurial Spirit, Innovation, Ambition, Internationalisation and Risk / Cost Awareness. The final follows on from a number of regional heats which took place across Scotland. TV presenter and founder of Diary Doll which previously won a ScotEdge award, Carol Smillie acted as host for the day.

These awards follow on from a successful four previous rounds, which saw 69 Scottish businesses awarded funds. To the end of September 2014 this investment has generated 207 jobs, £8.4m turnover and £4.25m investment.

Marine-biologist Dr. Keith Todd commented, “The Scot Edge award allows us to develop our business at a pace that the industry needs.”

Alasdair Busby, Business Adviser, Business Gateway Fife, said: “Congratulations to Errin and Keith Todd and the team at Lobster Pod. Securing one of the top awards at the EDGE not only highlights that the Lobster Pod is innovative it also gives credence to the fact that the invention has the potential to revolutionise how shellfish are transported on a global scale. We’ve worked extensively with Errin, and Keith, over the years and our support has helped them build their brand and secure investment which has ultimately enabled them to turn their concept into a reality.

We have helped Errin to develop her sales pitch and using our marketing and sales knowledge the company secured a Market Development Grant to purchase office equipment and marketing materials. This allowed them to exhibit at Aquaculture 2014 where they meet with a range of potential buyers. Most recently the company has benefitted from tailored workshops designed to help them focus on their goals and how best to achieve them, as well as arm them with the knowledge needed to ensure the business grows in a sustainable way as the popularity of the Lobster Pod increases. We are extremely proud to say we have helped Errin and Keith develop their business and wish them ever success in the future.”

Evelyn McDonald, CEO ScotEdge commented, “Lobster Pod Ltd impressed the judging panel with their vision and entrepreneurial spirit. Their business is capable of significant growth and we look forward to helping them achieve their ambitions”.

Deputy First Minister John Swinney said:
“Since the launch of Scotland CAN DO, we have created a platform to allow our ambitious entrepreneurs to excel. This has been driven-forward by the collective impact of public, private and third sector partners.
ScotEdge exemplifies what can be achieved with a collaborative approach and shared ambition of becoming a world-leading entrepreneurial and innovative nation.”

Winners of awards were: £777k to 16 ScotEdge companies

• Safetray Products Ltd, £31k : Developed G-Hold – a tool for safely holding iPads and tablets.
• Celtic Sea Spice Company (T/A Mara Seaweed), £50k : a range of artisan seaweed seasonings
• Beauty Kitchen UK Ltd, £30k: Develops, makes and sells a range of beauty products.
• Trans World Soccer, £45k : Offers live like a professional footballer tours to football youth clubs and schools.
• snap40 Ltd, £40k : Developing a wristband that monitors patients indicators to reduce cardiac arrest.
• nooQ Ltd, £32k: Data visualization software to transform productivity.
• West Coast Fisheries & Butcher Ltd, £100k : Innovative food manufacturer specialising in venison.
• Swipii, £20k : A tablet-based digital loyalty programme for small and medium-sized businesses.
• Lobster Pod Ltd, £100k : An innovative live shellfish transportation system.
• Pulsetta Foods Limited, £50k : Developed bakery products from pulses (in particular peas and lentils), which are gluten-free.
• Hectares Food Limited, £50k : Sweet potato crisps.
• The Kiltwalk, £50k : Organises charity walking events to support children’s charities.
• Dunnet Bay Distillers Ltd, £50k : Rock Rose Gin – a unique gin which is made using local botanicals.
• Sunamp Limited, £50k : Sunamp Heat Batteries – innovative, high-efficiency heat energy storage systems.
• Chocolati Ltd, £27k : Quality chocolate maker including “Maw Broons” range.
• Smoother Spirits Ltd, £52k : Produces Uisge Source – a range of bottled spring waters to compliment malt whisky.
•£75,000 was also awarded to Young Edge winners.

The awards were supported by a number of partners and ambassadors including Harper Macleod, Johnston Carmichael, Amazon Web Services (AWS) and Samsung who were on hand to offer free support to Scotland's up and coming entrepreneurs."