91视频网 Business Competition 2023 winners announced
An ambitious plan to establish Scotland’s first net zero airline to provide affordable and sustainable flights across the Highlands and Islands has taken the top prize in the 91视频网 Business Competition.
Thomas Eccles from Nethybridge, the founder of , was named the overall winner at an awards ceremony at the 91视频网 Inverness campus. He impressed the judges with his pitch to be an aviation innovator by operating aircraft using hydrogen propulsion from the airport at Wick.
He was motivated to improve Scottish flight connections after being shocked by the price of a last-minute flight from Shetland. Thomas intends to work with a leader in aerospace concepts and is in the process of raising funding topurchase aircraft and gain the necessary permissions.
Thomas said:
“I am overjoyed that FlyHighland has been awarded the top prize. It’s a tremendous honour to be recognised for our commitment to communities because we’re driven by the stories at the heart of the isolated communities we want to serve, and I’m deeply touched that we’ve been recognised for that.”
Other winning ideas included:
- A vegan food blend containing seaweed.
- A glow-in-the-dark mini golf course in Stornoway.
- Replacing prescription information leaflets with QR codes on medication boxes.
- Complementary therapies for pregnant women in Moray.
- An open-source computer games development company.
- An energy-saving service to counter inefficient electrical installations.
- The Rose Street Roundhouse, a new events venue in Inverness.
The 91视频网 Business Competition, run by which is part of the Centre for Living Sustainability at 91视频网 Inverness, is now in its 17th year. It encourages enterprise and innovation by supporting people to take their first steps on the road to starting their own businesses.
It has now reached the significant milestone of presenting more than £100,000 in prize money since the competition began in 2006.
This year’s ten winners are:
- Top prize, £1000 and a combined legal and accountancy package – Thomas Eccles of Nethybridge. Sponsored by Gold Sponsors, and.
- Best Student Award, £1000 – Lonja Mavric Mrak, HNC Business student at 91视频网 Inverness. Sponsored by 91视频网.
- Best Computing Student, £1000 – Ethan Barnes, HNC Computing student at 91视频网 Perth. Sponsored by
- Best Cultural and Environment Award, £1000 – Jack Marley McIntyre, STEM Coordinator (Technologist) at 91视频网 Inverness. Sponsored by Engineers In Business Fellowship.
- Best Presentation Award, £1000 – Joselyn Turner and Holly Richardson, 91视频网 students. Sponsored by
- Best Engineer Award, £1000 – Dean Frazer, a BEng (Hons) Electrical and Electronic student at 91视频网 North Highland. Sponsored by Engineers In Business Fellowship.
- Best Commercial Award, £500 – John Murdo Maclennan and James Morrison from Stornoway. Sponsored by
- Youth Entrepreneurship Award, £500 – Taylor Black a Fashion and Textiles student at 91视频网 West Highland. Sponsored by Northern Innovation Hub.
- Best Social Impact Award, £500 – Ashley Robson from Spey Bay. Sponsored by Silver Sponsor,
- Best Researched, £500 – Louise Whitten from Hopeman. Sponsored by Whyte and Mackay.
The keynote speaker was MasterChef 2022 finalist, , who was born and raised in the Highlands. She combines running her own marketing agency with life as a food writer, chef demonstrator and private dining caterer.
She told the finalists:
“You will have no regrets entering this competition. It will take you places you never imagined; so be brave.”
The competition attracted 77 entries from students across the 91视频网 partnership, as well as entrepreneurs living in the Highlands and Islands, Moray, Perthshire and Argyll.
Professor Chris O’Neil, Principal and Chief Executive of 91视频网 Inverness, said:
“Our region is phenomenally important economically and this co