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Obesity mannequin idea wins Spark competition

A company that produces 25-stone mannequins which will be used to train emergency personnel and healthcare workers to safely lift obese people has won the 2015 Spark Business competition.

The contest, run by Stockport Business and Innovation Centre (SBIC), attracted a diverse range of business ideas, but it was Chris Jarratt who picked up the trophy for his mannequin idea. The judges commended the innovative business idea for its growth potential and for addressing issues around a global health problem.

The six finalists pitched their ideas to the judging panel of industry experts in a Dragons’ Den style session, before Bariquins was named the Spark winner. Judging panel Chairperson, Christian Mancier, Partner at Gorvins Solicitors, commented that the competition was “incredibly close to call” with all business ideas “demonstrating great potential”.

Among the five other business start-ups in the final was Michael Boylan with his TwistPot plant pot system, Hagen Kuehn’s Quater business software idea, and the Creativefront Digital Academy, a not-for-profit training organisation run by Vinca and Lee Power.

Also competing was Angela Lock’s specialist gift company Bessie & Flo, and Grumpy Vest, a student work placements platform devised by Jamie Owens.

However, it was Bariquins which took the crown. Chris Jarratt said: “Winning the Spark competition endorses my idea as a viable business model. Having not run my own business before, there was always a doubt in the back of my mind, but winning this gives me the confidence to take my idea on to the next level. It really is the cherry on the cake.”

Chris’s prize is a package of support worth £15,000, including free office space for a year at SBIC, which is owned by Stockport Council and part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund. The Centre provides flexible office space, mentoring and business support specifically aimed at start-up businesses looking to make their first move into professional offices. Chris will also receive marketing, product development and PR support, along with a business banking start-up package, expert guidance on finance, legal, employment law and IP protection.

Councillor Patrick McAuley, Executive Member for Thriving Economy at Stockport Council, said: “Congratulations to Chris Jarratt for winning this year’s Spark competition. His business idea shows great promise and has tapped into a market with great growth potential; the support he will receive at SBIC will help unlock the opportunities open to Bariquins. The standard of entries was again extremely high, demonstrating why Stockport is gaining a reputation for innovative thinking and commercial flair.”

Tony Corcoran, Incubation Director at SBIC, said: “All six finalists should rightly feel proud of themselves. Their determination to succeed and passion will stand them in good stead as their businesses grow. The support from our partners at Tangent Design, Zoom Media, Royal Bank of Scotland, Clarke Nicklin Accountants, Novomodo, Gorvins Solicitors, Souter PR, Trinity Mirror Group, and HGF Intellectual Property has helped the Spark competition to become a flagship business event, driving business innovation in the Borough.”

For more information about Stockport Business & Innovation Centre visit www.stockport-bic.co.uk or call 0161 443 4100.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by James Welton .