Pitchfest and Innovation Showcase Winners

Meet Pitchfest 2015 Winner : UGOT

The healthy eating café and products company started with a £100,000 director's loan, with its first branch launching at York train station in 2013. Co-founder Jamal Edwards is a 24-year-old music entrepreneur who has received the backing and mentorship of billionaire Sir Richard Branson. Before he was 22 years old he topped the Times Young Power List, and become the face of Google Chrome and Puma.

They opened a second branch at Newcastle train station, which is also on the Virgin Trains East Coast line. They are looking to open new stores in Harrogate, Newcastle and Leeds. Their current branches, at York and Newcastle, are generating a turnover of £360,000 with a net profit of £24,000. The firm now employs 14 people, with three focussed on the design and marketing of the brand.

Co-founder Joe Carnell said: "It was a huge honour to be at last year's Venturefest especially among so many inspirational entrepreneurs. I didn't go with the intention of winning, it was more to gain exposure for ÜGOT, but it's so overwhelming to be recognised for all the hard work we've put in over the last 18 months. "I look forward to the next stage of continuing to develop and grow ÜGOT, capitalising on the generosity of our new sponsors and then returning next year to share our success."

Meet Innovation Showcase 2015 Winner : BugBrush

BugBrush is a unique and revolutionary toothbrush designed to tackle the soaring rates of infant tooth decay (specifically in the under 3's) - by empowering infants to safely and effectively clean their own teeth.

The patented, double sided, flexible curved design has 10 times more plaque removing bristles than any other toothbrush in the world. The product is breaking new ground in infant oral hygiene, and hopefully in time it will be the choice of first infant toothbrush for all parents.

Rowena Johnson the inventor, spent  8 years developing, researching and funding all aspects of the business in order to get the product to market. Since launching last year and establishing their first UK distributors Torque and retailers Jo Jo Maman Bebe, Rowena has taken BugBrush on to secure distribution in another 7 countries.