Sir Richard Branson’s Virgin StartUp searching to find UK food business “superstars”

Virgin StartUp – the business organisation founded by Sir Richard Branson – has relaunched its nationwide search to find the country’s next “up-and-coming superstars of the food produce world”.

Backed by shopping centre owner intu, the ‘Foodpreneur’ competition seeks to identify businesses who deserve recognition for innovative and brilliant food business ideas and is open to food entrepreneurs from across the UK.

The competition, which last year crowned Cauli Rice, Pip & Nut, and Harry Brompton’s Iced Tea among the winners, will award eight semi-finalists with the chance to showcase their business in a pop-up at one of six intu regional shopping centres in Essex, Glasgow, Derby, Nottingham, Newcastle, and London, and online at intu.co.uk for one week.

Four finalists will then pitch and present their business to a panel of successful business people, including Jimmy’s Iced Coffee founder Jim Cregan, with the overall winner chosen to run their business in one of intu’s UK centres and online for six weeks with access to advice and support from intu and Virgin StartUp.

intu claims the winner will see their business “reach an audience of millions”.

Mei Shui, managing director of Virgin StartUp, commented: “Business can be a force for good and more people need to be given the chance to shine. Previous Foodpreneur finalists have gone on to become brilliant entrepreneurs and I’d expect this year’s alumni will be no different.”

intu chief executive, added that he was delighted to “help up and coming entrepreneurs to find the next wave of new ideas”:

“Bringing such exciting new brands into our centres provides yet another opportunity to bring a smile to the faces of our customers which can only help our retailers flourish.”

To enter your business to win the Foodpreneur 2017 competition, click here.