Vote for ‘Win a trip to India with Richard Branson’ winners

5 Oct 2012

Vote for ‘Win a trip to India with Richard Branson’ winners

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3 31

Vote for ‘Win a trip to India with Richard Branson’ winners

We’ve been overwhelmed by the quality of entries so a huge thank you to everyone who entered the ‘Win a trip to India with Richard Branson’ competition – reading about your businesses has been incredibly inspiring so keep up the great work!

The winners will be chosen from the eight shortlisted entrepreneurs below and voting starts now. Virgin Media Pioneers will choose two of the winners but the other two winners are all down to you. Who do you think best represents the Pioneers community and will get the most out of winning a trip to India?

All you need to do to cast your vote is check out their websites, watch the videos, read the description of their business and why they think their business would benefit from winning a trip to India and then cast your vote.

Voting closes at 5pm, Monday 8th October 2012.

1. Kate Boon

Company: ElephantBranded
Website: ElephantBranded.com
Why win? Ethically sourced, recycled products made by Cambodian co-operatives and stocked in John Lewis. For every ElephantBranded product sold, the company donates an item of school equipment to schools in Africa and Asia. Keen to explore the possibilities of producing products by Indian co-operatives.

2. Ed Francis

Company: Has just received funding to open a social enterprise restaurant in India.
Why win? Hospitality business with a social conscience. Experienced GM of leading London gastropubs. Ed has funding in place to open a social enterprise restaurant and training school in Mumbai.

3. Nikki Hesford

Company: Miss Fit UK
Website: MissFitUK.com
Why win? Lingerie manufacturer who wishes to explore the possibility of importing some materials from India. Keen to learn more about production methods in India.

4. Ravinder Ryan Deol

Company: Indian Snack Box
Website: IndianSnackBox.co.uk
Why win? Food business. New company keen to source and import Indian sweets and snacks into the UK for their soon-to-launch subscription snack company.

5. Natasha Lipman

Company: International Political Forum
Website: InternationalPoliticalForum.com
Why win? An international political forum dedicated to giving global youth a voice to effect change in the world. India is an area of interest because it’s an emerging economy with so many young people that have something to say.

6. Rob Nunn

Company: Your Aviation Future
Website: YAFAlliance.co.uk
Why win? YAF Group is an association of companies operating under one name. YAF (the fund) is a company designed to fund, mentor and coach future pilots into their dream aviation job via the Private Pilots Licence. The YAF Alliance campaigns for positive change within the aviation industry.

7. Awet Yohans

Company: Madame Spice
Website: MadameSpice.co.uk
Why win? Food industry. Launched last month. Madame Spice will produce premium world cuisine ready meals and Awet is considering expanding the range to include Indian recipes and potentially outsource food production to India.

8. Kiran Yoliswa

Company: Styled By Africa
Website: StyledByAfrica.com
Why win? Initially a blog, Styled By Africa is now an e-commerce fashion site looking to expand into different regions. India is already on their radar and they are eager to see whether it is viable to source and sell Indian fashion through their site.

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31 comments

Most Recent Most Voted

sam

Go Natasha!

Posted on 8 Oct 2012 -

Beverley Lockett

This is a brilliant opportunity – unfortunately the voting seems really odd. It will only accept a vote from one IP address (I think) which means that all the teachers who taught Rav and think his idea is brilliant have been unable to vote for him – all the college computers must share some data which stops them voting. I have come home and voted for him, but I can not get my husband to vote for him on different computer at home – very odd, please sort it for next time otherwise people will be missing out.

Posted on 8 Oct 2012 -

virginmediapioneers

Hi Beverley. Thanks for your feedback. Unfortunately, we had to do it this way to prevent the possibility of one person voting multiple times.

Posted on 8 Oct 2012 -

David Proud

Fabulous idea. I can see many many opportunities for this one !

Posted on 8 Oct 2012 -

Dan Sibley

Best of luck Rob,
Dan @ Natwest

Posted on 8 Oct 2012 -

Laura Kemp

I am gutted not to have made the short list but think that all of these business have much more valid reasons to go than mine – I really just wanted to meet Sir Richard!
Good Luck to you all!

Posted on 8 Oct 2012 -

mrpowerz

awet sara yohans to win she is so intelligent & sharp i hope you win ;-)

Posted on 8 Oct 2012 -

Rob

Voted for Rob Nunn! Well done!

Posted on 7 Oct 2012 -

Angie Phillips

Delighted to see Ravinder shortlisted with “Indian Snack Box” Fantastic opportunity and wish him all the best!

Posted on 7 Oct 2012 -

pravashdey

Well done everyone…great videos. Good luck for the next round!!!
I’m already in India to make things happen here: http://www.enterpriseindia.org
Please feel free to connect and let’s do it together :D

Posted on 7 Oct 2012 -

Deborah Lewis

I am very please to see Madame Spice shortlisted… I don’t know if the young lady remembers us, (My husband and I own a Café in Manchester City ) we tasted her delicious Burmese curry during the Speciality Food fair last month. Vote Awet Yohans, the talent behind Madame Spice! We wish you all the best. x

Posted on 7 Oct 2012 -

Hamid

I really like the inspiration of Styled By Africa!

Posted on 7 Oct 2012 -

awetsarayohans

I forgot to mention that Madame Spice donates 1p from every pot we sell to Action Against Hunger, a fantastic charity that combats hunger and malnutrition, helping 7 million people each year, including people in India. Please have a look at the life-saving work they do by going to their website:

http://www.actionagainsthunger.org.uk/

Posted on 7 Oct 2012 -

Jemila Berhan

I vote for Alae as she is a perfect person to represent Eritrea (east Africa)

Posted on 7 Oct 2012 -

bruce white

Some very interesting and inspiring ideas – well done and good luck. Don’t think I get the “I want to meet Richard Branson and rub shoulders with my hero” entries. Surely it should be about helping spread the Pioneer spirit and inspire some India entrepreneurs, i.e. giving of oneself rather than me, me, me?

Posted on 7 Oct 2012 -

phill

Madame Spice I have just checked the front page of your web site and the packaging for all the cuisine ranges looks beautiful and inviting to eat. I have been to India my self and the idea of creating an Indian cuisine is a great idea that will be a big hit with the people. Hope all the best!

Posted on 7 Oct 2012 -

Clare Pelling

I have chosen Ed Francis because he sounds like a great guy and I think his idea would be very successful. I hope he wins because he has given so much to the Hope Foundation.

Posted on 7 Oct 2012 -

Sam Sam

These are some seriously great videos and it was a hard choice to make but I’ve voted for Madame Spice because I love ethnic food AND you have a lovely smile. Good luck :)

Posted on 7 Oct 2012 -

Pascal Campbell-Jones

Did you guys take a look at my entry with Parabatix Sky Racers?

We have been featured on these websites recently!
A new & unique project & opportunity is in the air!

http://gizmodo.com/5948451/i-just-want-to-strap-myself-to-a-paramotor-and-fly-away?tag=watch-this

http://now.msn.com/parabatix-360-degree-paragliders-featured-in-viral-video

http://www.popnsport.com/actus/100032/parabatix-la-course-motorisee-dans-les-airs/#more-100032

Your help would be greatly appreciated!

Cheers
Pascal

Posted on 7 Oct 2012 -

virginmediapioneers

Hi. We did and we love what you’re doing. Unfortunately, it didn’t seem right for this opportunity but we hope to be in touch soon. Have you joined the Pioneers community? Lots of support for businesses from other entrepreneurs at all stages of business.

Posted on 8 Oct 2012 -

eliotkelly

Voted for you, Lots of Love from Nappytastic x

Posted on 6 Oct 2012 -

awetsarayohans

Thanks for voting for me Nappytastic, I appreciate the support! I love your website by the way; who knew nappy cakes can look that good!

Posted on 7 Oct 2012 -

john mcilvride

I have known Ed Francis for a number of years and I have been greatly impressed with him and the businesses in which he has been involved.
He has achieved so much for someone so young and is a real inspiration to others.

Posted on 6 Oct 2012 -

ivanskrypk

Best of luck to all short listed candidates! This sounds like a lifetime opportunity

Posted on 6 Oct 2012 -

Leah

I really enjoyed watching the Madame Spice video and think you have a really interesting business idea. I own a deli in West Sussex and would be lnterested to taste and maybe even stock your ambient sauces once you find a manufacturer.

Posted on 6 Oct 2012 -

Cam

The Kiran Yoliswa – Styled by Africa vid is cool, also LOVE the ending!!

Posted on 6 Oct 2012 -

Rosie Stroud

Ed, you so deserve to win this, the support you give the Hope Foundation is fantastic.

Much love Rosie

Posted on 6 Oct 2012 -

George Staines

Brilliant to see such enthusiasm and commitment from each of the possible winners. Good luck to all.

Posted on 6 Oct 2012 -

Alae Ismail

Hi Everyone, please vote Styled By Africa, we have so much to offer and we’d really wish for you all to be apart of our journey …winning this trip would mean so much to us!!!! xxx

Posted on 6 Oct 2012 -

natasha

Hi Guys! I am absolutely delighted to have been shortlisted! Please watch my video and vote for me to help me give a voice to young people around the world!!

Posted on 5 Oct 2012 -

awetsarayohans

I’m so EXCITED to have been shortlisted! Winning this would be such a great experience. Please watch my video and vote for me!

Posted on 5 Oct 2012 -

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