Edinburgh Business in line for national award recognising their social impact
Lilypads, a mission-driven business based in Scotland that is determined to ensure no one is limited by their period, has been shortlisted for the GBEA Entrepreneur for Good Award.
Two days ago they launched their environmentally friendly period and leaks pads via crowdfunder and had 110 supporters in just 48 hours.
Lilypads began in rural Kenya where the founder, Alison Wood, discovered that many girls were being forced to engage in transactional sex in exchange for sanitary products. Determined to create a solution which was financially sustainable, Lilypads established initiatives around the world, working closely with partners to provide access to sustainable, affordable sanitary products and menstrual health education. When trialling products Lilypads realised that the reusable products on the market in the UK were not fitting the needs of menstruators and realised selling these products in the UK could subsidise their international work.
Founded in 2013, the Great British Entrepreneur Awards acknowledges the hard work and inspiring stories of entrepreneurs and businesses in the United Kingdom.
The Awards have celebrated some outstanding entrepreneurs who have gone on to become household names. Previous winners include the founders of BrewDog, Tangle Teezer, The LAD Bible, Clearscore & The Cambridge Satchel Company.
Judges of the awards include Hayley Parsons, who founded Go Compare, Cath Kidston, Lord Bilimoria of Cobra Beer and Kanya King, the founder of the MOBO awards. Lilypads is a finalist in the Entrepreneur for Good Award category at the 2020 Great British Entrepreneur Awards for the Scotland & Northern Ireland region .
Founder of the Great British Entrepreneur Awards, Francesca James, said: “Given what we’ve seen over the past few months, the 2020 edition of the Great British Entrepreneur Awards is arguably the most important. Now, more than ever, it’s vital that we celebrate the achievements of the country’s entrepreneurs and their determination in the face of such adversity.
So many entrepreneurs will have been fighting to keep their business afloat over the past few months, and indeed will be over the coming months. That’s exactly why we launched the Pivot category; to recognise those that have managed to adapt and thrive throughout this period.
“I want to send my congratulations to each and every single entrepreneur who has made it to the shortlist this year, and I wish them the very best of luck for the regional finals.”
Anne Boden, founder and CEO of Starling Bank, said: “These entrepreneurs have gone above and beyond in order to allow their businesses to flourish in extremely difficult times and it is a true honour to congratulate each and every one of them.”
Alison Wood, Lilypads founder, said “I’m delighted to be a finalist the last few months have been particularity challenging as manufacturers have been unable to make the product given the current situation. However, in the last months, things have turned around, we’ve got four international projects all about to start: everywhere from Nigeria to Malaysia and our UK product launched on the 21st of July and had a 100 backers in the first two days. Being a finalist in the GBEA is an amazing additional validation of our impact”
Contact details
Alison Wood 07419 818919