Entrepreneur Kate Taylor, founder of Evenly, won a small business competition as part of a community run by Dragons’ Den investor Theo Paphitis.
The Dorset-based business owner took part in the Small Business Sunday (#SBS) x NatWest Accelerator Live Pitch Competition in Birmingham.
Evenly was one of three businesses selected from more than 100 applicants to pitch on stage in front of judges and 1,000 attendees.
Kate presented to Kypros Kyprianou, CEO of Theo Paphitis Retail Group; broadcaster and campaiginer Katie Piper OBE; Michelle Prance, CEO of Mettle and Dr. Raphael Sofoluke, founder and CEO of UK Black Business Show and UK Black Business Week.
Kate took first place and won a £7,500 prize for her business which creates non-surgical solutions that rebalance bras to improve comfort, support and confidence for women with uneven breasts. It has thousands of customers in over 40 countries.
Announcing the winner, Theo Paphitis said:
“All people have ideas, but the difference is getting off your backside and doing something about it and creating a business. Having looked at the product and done my research on you, I know you’re going to be a big success – congratulations.”
Katie Piper OBE added:
“I thought your pitch was brilliant. I really understood what you do and why you’re doing it. It’s a clear problem and you have a solution. For so long women have been told to put up and stay silent with so many problems that have a stigma and a taboo attached to them, and we want more – and you’re delivering that.”
Kate Taylor said:
“This recognition is powerful validation for the work we’re doing – supporting women who have often been overlooked and building a category that truly puts their needs first.”
The other finalists who pitched on stage were Charlotte Giddings, co-founder of bakery brand Brownie and the Bean and Nicola Wilkes and Georgina Hammond, co-founders of charitable gifting service A Noble Gift.
Small Business Sunday is Theo Paphitis’ weekly competition on social media which he started in 2010. Winners get to attend the annual event in Birmingham.