Sophie Summer Ltd shortlisted for StartUp Awards National Series

Manchester-based Sophie Summer Ltd (sophie-summer.com) has been named one of the most exciting new businesses in the region after being shortlisted as part of a brand new awards programme.

The StartUp Awards National Series has been launched to recognise the booming startup scene across the UK which has accelerated since the pandemic began. In 2020, when most of the world was shutting down, more than 400,000 startups were set up in Britain, with similar increases seen in other European countries.

There was stiff competition with over 2,500 applications received in response to the Startup Awards National Series’ first-ever call for entries.

Josefina Villanueva-Alonso, founder and creative director of Sophie Summer said: "It’s just unbelievable! But I'm so grateful to the Startup Awards for this recognition. It's an honour to be shortlisted against such tough competition. We take it as a nod to keep going and keep championing the beautiful pieces made by traditional artisans and indigenous people of the world.”

Supported nationally by BT, EY, Dell & Intel, the programme will celebrate the achievements of the amazing individuals across the UK who have turned an idea into an opportunity and taken the risk to launch a new product or service.

Co-founded by the team behind the Great British Entrepreneur Awards, the new series follows the success of the Wales StartUp Awards, after organisers recognised the exceptional potential in the startup scene across the other British regions.

Professor Dylan Jones-Evans OBE, the creator of the StartUp Awards National Series, said: “​​New firms are important for generating economic prosperity, employment opportunities and innovation. Since 2016, the Wales StartUp Awards have celebrated this amazing annual contribution to our economy by entrepreneurs and the impact they have on communities across the nation.

“Given the sheer volume of phenomenal startups we’ve heard from since then, as well as the huge post-pandemic shift in people’s desires to take their career in a new direction and set up a business against the odds, we felt it was the right time to take the programme nationwide. We’ve been blown away by the standard of entries in this first year and truly look forward to crowning the winners in June.”

SOPHIE SUMMER LTD

Sophie Summer is a retailer of handmade bags that celebrate culture and tradition, ethically crafted from sustainable materials by independent designers and artisans. It aims to celebrate the beauty of the world's cultures by showcasing traditionally made pieces, and to embrace slow fashion by championing the intricate art of creating unique pieces that tell a story.

STARTUP AWARDS NATIONAL SERIES

The StartUp Awards National Series is a collaboration between the founders of the Great British Entrepreneur Awards - an established programme nationally receiving over 5,000 applications annually - and the Wales Start-Up Awards, the only regional awards currently celebrating new businesses in the UK.

The StartUp Awards National Series will recognise the achievements of those amazing individuals who have had a great idea, spotted the opportunity and taken the risks to launch a new product or service.

Already established and thriving in Wales, the StartUp Awards National Series is now taking the passion and drive to celebrate new business and extending across the whole of the United Kingdom.