On Friday, UK’s equity crowdfunding platform, Crowdcube, announced the winners of the 2015 Crowdcube Awards.
The Crowdcube team declared:
“It’s that time of year again when we celebrate the many businesses that have funded on the site by holding our own awards.
“The categories range from ‘Pitch of the Year’ and ‘Coolest Brand of the year’ to ‘App of the year,’ and ‘Product of the year.’ Having had such a sterling year, completing 141 UK raises and raising £78,965,975, our team had an enormously tough job in choosing a winner. The public were invited to pitch in and vote for their own favourite with the “People’s Choice Award” which they did with much enthusiasm.”
Check out the list of winners below.
The Entrepreneur of the Year Award: Jane Ni Dhulchointigh of Sugru. Judges comments, “This entrepreneur has show an adept skill at producing and delivering an innovative product whilst growing an international company.”
The Coolest Brand of the Year Award: Brewdog. Judges remarked, “Whatever they turn their hand to, is done with a stylist flourish that we can only dream of. Their merchandising, the names of their beers right down to their job titles. This company is the epitome of cool.”
The Online Business of the Year: Wool and the Gang. Judges shared, “Everything they produce is done stylishly and the site is a reflection of that. It’s clean, easy to use and the products are very well produced. Wool and the Gang is a great example of an online business.”
The Best Start-Up of the Year Award: Run an Empire. Judges reflected, “This app really appealed to us. The notion of making running an activity that can be rather dull, into a strategic game is something that we loved and we can’t wait to try it out.”
The Environmental Business of the Year Award: Pavegen. Judges recalled, “What they’re doing is amazing, this could really make an impact on the environment. Plus, the way they ran their campaign was exceptional. This company is a force to be reckoned with.”
The Best Pitch Video of the Year Award: Brewdog. The Judges shared, “Once again, BrewDog showed us that they’re not disruptors for nothing by producing a video which showed the founders unafraid to make a mockery of themselves.”
The App of the Year Award: JustPark. Judges noted, “Another disruptor on the book, JustPark are growing at a great rate and providing a service that we absolutely love.”
The Service Business of the Year Award: 1Rebel. Judges stated, “1Rebel absolutely smashed their second funding round with us, this is a great business offering something different within the fitness industry.”
The Tech Business of the Year Award: Pavegen. Judges remarked, “Not only have Pavegen impressed with their environmental credentials, but their technology is amazing too.”
The Exit of the Year Award: E-Car Club. Judges explained, “E-Car Club funded with us back in 2012 and we’re thrilled that this has happened for them. May this be the first of many.”
The Pitch of the Year Award: Camden Town Brewery. Judges revealed, “Camden Town Brewery delivered us with the perfect pitch, they ran it with the precision and expertise you’d expect from the fourth largest brewery. We expect to see great things in 2016.”
The Product of the Year Award: Sugru. Judges announced, “We love Sugru, it’s been used in the office non-stop since we first started speaking to them, the versatility of the product is just fantastic. You can mend literally anything with it.”
The People’s Choice of the Year Award: Sugru. Judges shared, “This company really seemed to capture imagination of the crowd and of course, was one of the largest fundraisers of the year, raising £3.4 million from 2375 investors. An out and out winner, which is deserving of the title.”
The equity crowdfunding platform added:
“Thanks so much to all of the companies who have raised with us during 2015. We’ve had a remarkable range of businesses to choose from, many of whom are not even represented in these awards, but to all the companies that have funded this year, we wish you the best in 2016!”
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