People’s Champion finalist 2017: Ventro Group

Start-up name: Ventro Group
Founders: Harvey and Ross Melvin
Started in: April 2014
Based in: Plymouth
Business description: Passive fire safety specialists; providing auditing, installation and maintenance

Shortlisted categories:

Service Business of the Year, Young Entrepreneur of the Year

The Ventro Group story:

In the wake of the Grenfell Tower tragedy, fire protection and managing fire risk has never been so important. The need for preventative measures is evident for all to see.

Ventro’s solution enables businesses and professional organisations across the UK to understand their fire risks and take appropriate action to reduce them. The take-up has been strong in sectors such as social housing, education, hospitality and healthcare.

Founded by brothers and 2017 Young Guns Harvey and Ross Melvin, aged just 23 and 26, Plymouth-based Ventro’s consultancy service works in three steps: a health check, installation, and then maintenance to make sure its products work effectively.

Offering everything from fire sprinklers to fire rated cladding and fire doors, the passive fire safety specialist has proved a compelling proposition to blue chip clients. Already, the NHS, local authorities and housing associations are making use of Ventro’s fire protection service.

With a team of 30 based across four offices, including London, Nottingham and Manchester, the Melvins have scaled Ventro to achieve annual turnover in the millions while working to promote passive fire protection.

The start-up also offers seminar and networking events, alongside its consultancy framework, to educate and inform on compartmentalising a fire and stopping it from spreading.

Fully accredited, Ventro’s growth has been entirely organic to date as it seeks to deliver on its mission to “promote passive fire safety to raise awareness and reduce risk”.

Why Ventro Group made our shortlist:

While the Ventro Group may not necessarily seem the sexiest business concept, the service it offers is potentially life-changing for the organisaitons and businesses it works with. Its fire safety measures can mean the difference between life and death for a building’s inhabitants.

With young entrepreneurs at its helm, employing a team of 30, the ascent for this three-year old firm is impressive as it takes Startups Awards nominee status.

Where to find out more about Ventro Group:

Website: www.ventrogroup.com
Twitter: @VentroGroup