Start-up is finalist in Branson competition

A Wetherby couple are crossing their fingers after their innovative start-up was announced as a finalist in the national Pitch to Rich competition, run by Virgin Media Business and spearheaded by Richard Branson.
By The Newsroom
Published 5th Jun 2015, 09:00 BST
Wetherby-based start-up SLPY has been announced as one of 10 semi-finalists in the national Pitch to Rich competition, run by Virgin Media Business and spearheaded by Richard Branson. (S)Wetherby-based start-up SLPY has been announced as one of 10 semi-finalists in the national Pitch to Rich competition, run by Virgin Media Business and spearheaded by Richard Branson. (S)
Wetherby-based start-up SLPY has been announced as one of 10 semi-finalists in the national Pitch to Rich competition, run by Virgin Media Business and spearheaded by Richard Branson. (S)

SLPY, which makes a range of wearable sleeping-bags, has made it to the last 10 in the competition, which attracted 979 entries in the start-up category alone.

The winner will receive £150,000 of marketing support, as well as mentoring and help from Virgin StartUp’s professional business advisers for a year.

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Co-founders Martin and Lisa Brailsford came up with the idea for their products after spotting a gap in the market for a predominantly youthful sector of the market whose interests may include music festivals, climbing, snowboarding, camping and other outdoor activities.

Lisa Brailsford said: “We’ve always spent a lot of time enjoying life outdoors. Then one night while camping, we realised we needed something that combined the warmth of a sleeping bag with the functionality of a hoody.”

The 10 finalists will be whittled down to three, based on a public vote on the Pitch to Rich website between June 2 and 16. To vote for SLPY, go to 
www.virginmediabusiness.co.uk/pitch-to-rich/start-up/slpy/

Related topics:WetherbyRichard Branson