Shell LiveWIRE is a UK-wide enterprise scheme to help support young entrepreneurs (aged 16–30) into business.
Shell LiveWIRE is a Royal Dutch Shell Social Investment programme. It was launched in the Strathclyde area of Scotland in 1982, before being rolled out across the rest of the UK in 1985.[1] The Shell LiveWIRE Awards are one of the longest established youth entrepreneur award schemes in the UK and boasts an inspirational alumni of winners. The programme has helped a "who's who" of well known entrepreneurs on their paths to success including the programme's first winner, Stewart Graham of The Gael Force Group,[2][3]James Murray Wells of Glasses Direct,[4] Michael Korn of KwickScreen,[5] Laurence Kemball-Cook of Pavegen,[6]Richard Reed of Innocent Smoothies,[7] and James Watt and Martin Dickie of BrewDog.[8]
Shell LiveWIRE offers two business awards; the monthly £5,000 Shell LiveWIRE Smarter Future Awards and an annual £25,000 Shell LiveWIRE Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award.
Smarter Future Programme Winners
The Shell LiveWIRE Smarter Future Programme launched in 2015 with aim of supporting start-ups that provide solutions to the UK's future transport, food, energy, or natural resource challenges, or make our urban environments cleaner and more sustainable places to work and live in.[9] So far, the programme has supported the following start-ups with £5,000 funding and mentoring opportunities:
Daniel Roberts, Founder of BananaBerry, a business that turns surplus fruit and vegetables into smoothies.[10]
Mason Holden, co-founder of urbanminded, the business behind BikeVault, a bicycle parking structure with a built-in locking mechanism.[11]
Solveiga Pakštaitė, Founder of Design by Sol, the business behind BumpMark, a bio-reactive food expiry label which indicates the conditions of food inside its packaging, reducing food waste.[12]
Adam Meekings, Founder of Penumbra Power, a technology start-up committed to the reduction of emissions from vehicle exhaust gasses through their innovation, currently called 'Pre-Treatment.[13]
Tom Robinson, co-founder of Adaptavate, the business behind Breathaboard, a bio-based alternative to plasterboard which locks carbon into the fabric of buildings.[15]
Thor Schuitemaker-Wichstrøm, co-founder of CAVENTOU, a business that creates sustainable smart objects that use the property of colour to convert sunlight into energy.[16]
Ravi Toor, Founder of Filamentive,[17] a sustainable, 3D printing material brand looking to develop a 3D printer filament made from recycled plastic.[18]
Adam Dixon, co-founder of Phytoponics, an agtech start-up that developed a low-cost and scalable hydroponic growing system for commercial agriculture.[19]
Karina Sudenyte, co-founder and chief brand of Flawsome! drinks, a business that turns wonky fruit into cold-pressed juices.[20][21]
Grand Ideas Award Winners
The Shell LiveWIRE Grand Ideas Awards ran from 2009 to 2014 and awarded monthly £1,000 awards to innovative start-ups throughout the UK. Notable award winners include:
Daniel Murray, co-founder of Grabble, a fashion app that is revolutionising the shopping experience.[22]
Laurence Kemball-Cook, Founder of Pavegen Systems, a business which has created paving slabs that harvest kinetic energy.[23]
Arthur Kay, co-founder of bio-bean, a business which turns used coffee grounds into bio-diesel pellets.[24]
Ed Ward, Founder of Veglo, a business that is making cycling safer with its innovative Commuter X4 lights.[25]
Michael Corrigan, co-founder of trtl, the sleepscarf that makes travelling more comfortable.[26]
Samuel Etherington, Founder of Aqua Power Technologies, a company that has invented a multi-axis wave power energy converter.[27]
Jennifer Duthie, Founder of Skribbies, kids' shoes that can be drawn on every day from new.[28]
Amy Wordsworth, Founder of Good Bubble, a range of natural bath products for children.[29]
Georgina Bullen, Paralympian and Founder of Team Insight, a company that uses the sport of Goalball to aid teambuilding.[30]
Ben Allen, Founder of Oomph Wellness, a company that is revolutionising the care sector.[31]
Chris Bushell, Founder of SMS shortcode university Bike Hire Scheme 'BikeHireUK'
Dana Elemara, Founder of Arganic, a company that produces argan oil for the food and cosmetic industries.[32]
Charlie Harry Francis, Founder of Lick Me I'm Delicious, the company behind 'edible mist' and 'instant logo pops', as well as their signature liquid nitrogen ice cream.[33]
Jermaine Hagan, Founder of Revision App, an app that is helping students to improve their grades by up to 20%.[34]
Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award Winners
The Shell LiveWIRE Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award[35] competition recognises and celebrates the achievements of the UK's finest young entrepreneurs.
Previous winners include Jamie Murray Wells of Glasses Direct,[36] Robert Matthams of Shiply.com,[37] Ben Allen of Oomph Wellness,[38] and Daniel Murray of Grabble.[39]
British Entrepreneur Robin Drinkall won both a regional Shell LiveWIRE Award in 1987 and also a UK National Shell LiveWIRE Award in 1988.
Another new start-up business includes Moroccan legacy uk deals in natural cosmetics made with argan oil and bio garden plants.