68. Switch Sticks

Founder: Vicky Mitchell
Website: www.switchsticks.co.uk

Vicky picked up the product of the year gong at the 2007 Startups Awards for her funky walking sticks. Two members of her family had recently become reliant on sticks to get around, but were underwhelmed by the choices available.

Vicky decided that instead of a walking stick being a symbol of immobility, brightly coloured and patterned designs could in fact turn the sticks into a fashion statement.