
Young Enterprise Company of the Year 2025

Get ready to be inspired by the brightest young minds in the UK! On 4th June 2025, 13 exceptional student companies from across the nation will come together to compete in the prestigious Young Enterprise Company of the Year 2025 UK National Final.
This exciting event is proudly hosted and supported by Manchester Metropolitan University and will be streamed live on this platform, allowing audiences across the country to tune in and witness the innovation, passion, and entrepreneurial spirit of the next generation.
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Graham Farhall
Delta Air lines
Graham has worked for Delta Air Lines since 2008 and is responsible for providing financial expertise to the European, Middle East and Africa business including ensuring accounting control and compliance across 39 countries.
Prior to joining Delta, Graham spent 10 years in various finance roles with British Airways including some time spent working in the USA. He started his career with Balfour Beatty in Liverpool and holds a BSc (Hons) in Business Operation and Control from the University of Salford.
Graham is an Associate Member of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants and joined the Board of Young Enterprise in February 2019 having served as an independent member of the Risk and Audit Committee since March 2018.
Kirsty Mackenzie
Founder, iMultply and FIN
Born and raised in Edinburgh, she grew up immersed in her family’s retail and insurance businesses, which sparked her lifelong interest in business. After graduating from Edinburgh University with a degree in Business, Kirsty founded iMultiply in 2012, recognising a gap in the market for a forward-thinking, finance-focused recruitment agency. Under her leadership, the company became award-winning, renowned for exceptional customer service and its strong people-first culture.
Now, as the founder of FIN, Kirsty is helping finance professionals future-proof their careers by providing AI-focused training and access to top AI consultants. FIN works with businesses to improve efficiencies and empower finance teams to focus on higher-value, strategic tasks.
Kirsty is also an experienced Non-Executive Director, a sought-after speaker, and a regular contributor to BBC Radio Scotland’s discussions on business and employment. A winner of WeDo’s Young Entrepreneur Award, she is passionate about creating opportunities for professionals to connect, learn, and thrive.


Cary Wilson
EY Northern Ireland
Cary is a Strategy and Transactions partner at EY, where he advises clients on buying and selling businesses, and leads financial due diligence investigations of businesses during transactions. He has 30 years of experience with EY, working in UK, Ireland and the USA. He is a strong advocate for the work of Young Enterprise. He has been a Director and Trustee of Young Enterprise Northern Ireland since 2018, has been a judge across numerous YENI programmes over a number of years, and was Chairman of the judging panel for the Northern Ireland finals of the Company Programme in 2023.
Lucy Gillingham
Westminster Foundation
Lucy is the Westminster Grants Manager at the Westminster Foundation which provides long-term support to vulnerable young lives, offering grants to charities working with young people in Chester, Westminster and rural areas.
Based in London, Lucy oversees the Foundation’s grant portfolio and maintains relationships with charity partners in Westminster, including Young Enterprise. Prior to the Westminster Foundation, Lucy worked for a charity which addressed the needs of marginalised communities in Africa and Asia, providing them with tools for sustainable development through innovative, entrepreneurial programmes. Lucy is passionate about empowering all children and young people to achieve their full potential by removing any and all barriers.


Dan Smith
M4 Property Consultants
Dan was lucky to be born into an entrepreneurial family, with a grandfather who ran his own business. At 16 years old Dan left school and went to work with his grandfather full time. He was given £1,000 in cash and had to buy stock from a number of warehouses and then sell it to market traders for twice as much! Dan is now a chartered surveyor and has run his own businesses for nearly 20 years and now employs 6 people. The company is a leading commercial agent in south Wales and provides advice to owners and occupiers of commercial property. Dan returned to education to obtain a degree in real estate which accelerated his career in the property industry, but it is the skills developed when he worked with his grandfather such as negotiation and communication.
Grounded
South Central Finalist
Grounded is a wellbeing brand dedicated to promoting mental health through mindful plant care. We offer beautifully curated terrariums featuring succulents or cacti, alongside DIY kits and in-person Wellbeing Workshops that guide customers through the therapeutic process of terrarium making. Each product includes care cards—gentle reminders to nurture both your plant and your mind—linked to our website for deeper insights into wellbeing and sustainability. Grounded’s mission is to make mental wellness accessible to all ages. As we grow, we’re expanding into e-commerce to bring our calming, creative experiences to even more people.


Minted Minds
Northern Ireland Finalist
We are Minted Minds. Our company is dedicated to financially educating children of the present and economically empowering the adults of the future. Since September 2024, we’ve been achieving this through our book “Save with Dave.” Aimed at primary school children, three editions have been developed: for GBP, Euros and Ukrainian UAH. Our journey has been marked by selling-out at trade fairs, business partnerships with Danske Bank, and awards: Runner up company at St. George’s Market, Best Salesperson, Most Innovative Product at Londonderry, and Winning Company and Potential to Export at the Northern Ireland Finals. Remember: Save with Dave!


Spin-itch
South East Finalist
Spin-itch was established in September 2024 by 8 enterprising students. Our high quality, locally crafted, steel fidget tools provide a solution to the growing anxiety epidemic and a response to the harmful oversaturation of cheap plastics within the fidget tool market. We are driven by our vision for a healthier planet. Spin-Itch is on a mission to reduce plastic waste while empowering neurodivergent minds to thrive.
Focus better. Fidget smarter. Join the Spin-Itch revolution.


reCap
North West Finalist
Recap Meltworks is a plastic gift goods business that uses low technology manufacturing to restructure HDPE recycled material into durable and desirable tag products. In the last 8 months Recap has seen tremendous growth and improvement: from our first tentative ideas to the fast paced and exciting business we now run. Through much adaptation we’ve managed to: cut production time by a factor of 3, develop systems to reuse all plastic waste material and identify ideal target markets for our product. We planned a long product development period due to the technical challenges, followed by a Christmas time launch of HDPE tags .Since then we’ve seen exponential growth in sales; starting with individual orders and now graduating to multiple bulk orders from a range of businesses.


Pearl
South West Finalist
Meet Pearl; the toothbrush that’s as kind to the planet as it is to your teeth. Crafted with sustainability in mind, Pearl is designed to limit plastic waste while delivering a sparkling clean smile. Using eco-friendly materials, such as charcoal infused nylon and bamboo wood, and engineered for durability, it’s not just a toothbrush—it’s a small but powerful step towards a healthier planet. Our brushes have been proven to leave a whiter smile and better breath freshness-Pearl is where sustainability meets dental perfection. With Pearl, you can brush with confidence, knowing you’re making a difference, one bristle at a time.


Food From The Roots
East of England Finalist
Food From The Roots is a purpose-driven company dedicated to celebrating global cultural diversity through the universal language of food. Our mission is to connect people through authentic recipes, meaningful storytelling, and partnerships with local communities and businesses. We strive to make cultural education accessible, fun, and inspiring – breaking down barriers through shared culinary experiences. Rooted in values of inclusivity, patience, and respect, we champion teamwork and collaboration to foster greater understanding across cultures. At Food From The Roots, we believe in honouring traditions while building a more connected, compassionate world. One dish and one story at a time.


Second Shine
East Midlands Finalist
Second Shine is a social enterprise based on the core values of environmental awareness, sustainability and eco friendliness. Our products are glass and plastic giftware, including jewellery (necklaces and keyrings) and artworks. The glass and plastic bottles upcycled into our products are sourced from local pubs. The glass is smashed up and placed in a rock tumbler which weathers it down, creating a smooth pendant for use in jewellery; while the plastic is hand cut and melted to produce a unique pendant, suitable for necklaces and earrings. We aim to help reduce waste, because every bottle deserves a Second Shine!


Canopy
London & Essex Finalist
Canopy is a student enterprise creating an innovative self-watering plant pot that simplifies plant care. Featuring a hydrophilic wick and a unique water-level indicator, 3D-printed Canopy pots water houseplants for up to 3 weeks, preventing over- and under-watering through self-regulation. Additionally, the Canopy app leverages AI to diagnose plant diseases and enables users to set tailored watering schedules. Together, our products synergize to form the Canopy ecosystem, a comprehensive solution to simplify and enhance plant care in urban environments. Blending innovation with meaningful impact, Canopy’s mission is to inspire more people to grow plants, ensuring thriving urban ecosystems today.


wetote
Northeast , Yorkshire & Humber Finalist
At wetote sustainability has always been our driving force, so we set out to make stylish tote bag replacing single use plastic bags. Our original designs are based on local landmarks, from photos taken by our team members. We support local businesses by using a local supplier and reducing our carbon footprint. At the beginning we sold to members of our school, however we are now selling bags across the UK, partnering with large brands like Five Guys, Mercado, Sarah Mains and Dalton Park. However we are still striving to improve our business further beyond our limits.


Collectify
Gibraltar Finalist
Collectify is a card-based storytelling experience that brings people closer to the culture,
history, and identity of the places they explore. Each pack contains six cards, each with a
unique illustration and story; ranging from local legends to iconic landmarks. Scan the QR
code on each card to unlock deeper digital content about this part of our culture. Cards can
be stored in our collection book, turning your journey into a lasting keepsake. Collectify is not
just about collecting, it is about connecting with the heart of a community, one card at a time.


Tag-Along
West Midlands Finalist
At Tag-Along, we create innovative, on-the-go solutions for carrying your things and not losing sight of them. We pride ourselves on always putting our customers’ needs first and aim to be sustainable where possible. Our first product, the TagAlong, has been designed to attach your belongings to either yourself or items such as bags, suitcases and pushchairs. We offer 9 different colours, length variations, and personalisation, and are currently in the process of developing a sustainable version made from bamboo-blended polyester. At Tag-Along we are always focused on the future and constantly looking for new ways to grow.


Solasta Highland
Scotland Finalist
At Solasta Highland, we have created an intergenerational journal called ‘In Their Words’. ‘In Their Words’ contains a series of thoughtful questions designed to encourage meaningful conversations between younger generations and their older relatives. Our book allows families to create a physical keepsake filled with personal stories, family history and treasured memories and leaves no room for the well known “I wish I’d asked” or “I wish I could remember” moments.
‘In Their Words’ is more than just a book. It’s a way to preserve cherished memories and the special family bond between generations for years to come.


Pack-a-Pren
Wales Finalist
Pack-a-Pren is a Welsh Young Enterprise company founded by seven Year 10 students from Olchfa School. Inspired by our local community, we’ve created an innovative, scalable product line celebrating iconic sports venues. Our DIY “build-your-own” kits feature detailed replicas made from sustainable wood and are carefully hand-packaged. From Swansea Stadium to Silverstone Circuit, each model offers a unique, eco-friendly tribute to beloved sports landmarks. We combine creativity, craftsmanship, and environmental responsibility to deliver memorable experiences for fans and hobbyists alike, right from the heart of Swansea.

