Manchester startup in line for national award recognising 5 star sustainable shopping platform
The UK's most sustainable online shopping destination, Veo has been shortlisted from a long list of 4,800 nominations, for the Sustainability Entrepreneur category in the Regional Finals of the Great British Entrepreneur Awards. Their success recognises the incredible award-winning platform that Veo founder Joe Darwen and the team have built showcasing hundreds of independent brands and thousands of sustainable products.
Veo, a Manchester-based marketplace business starting in 2019, is combining the power of sustainability with quality products from independent brands across a range of categories, to create the world's largest and most sustainable retail platform. This nomination adds to Veo’s other recent accolades including their Innovate UK grant win in December 2020, along with being Manchester's Carbon Hero in June 2021, and being rated as the top ethical online Retailer by Ethical Consumer for the last 2 years running.
Veo Founder Joe Darwen says of the shortlist: “We’re delighted to be included in the shortlisted finalists, particularly in the Sustainability Entrepreneur category as this is heart of our business, and embodies the Veo mission to build the go-to platform for consumers to discover incredible brands & products that meet the highest standards of quality and sustainability.”
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 Grenade, Tangle Teezer, The LAD Bible, Clearscore & The Cambridge Satchel Company.
Founder of the Great British Entrepreneur Awards, Francesca James, said: “We have seen some incredible finalists over the years, and this year is no exception. It really is one of the strongest shortlists we’ve ever had, and the fact that so many exceptional people have applied during such a tough year is a testament to the resolve and entrepreneurial talent that exists across the UK. Creating the shortlist out of so many wonderful applications was incredibly tough, so I don’t envy the judges who will now decide the regional winners. Everyone who has been shortlisted should be incredibly proud and we’re thrilled to be able to showcase their achievements.”
Anne Boden MBE, founder of Starling Bank, headline partner for the Awards, said: “The events of the past year have touched everyone... and it’s the incredible fortitude, determination and innovation of people like those shortlisted, that has helped our regions survive, and in some cases thrive. At Starling, we’re proud to be working with the Great British Entrepreneur Awards and help champion the individuals who will lead the charge and shape our future economy.”
Great British Entrepreneur Awards are hoping to hold the regional finals as an in-person event in September 2021, or it will take place online pending the Government social distancing guidelines.
In the meantime Veo has every reason to celebrate their place in the regional finals, and for the work they continue to do building an online shopping community for people and businesses to connect, shop, and change the world.