Enterprising Young Brits 2009 finalists: Business category

Read on to find out more about our Business category finalists…

Priya Lakhani

Winner!

Priya Lakhani (27)

Masala Masala

Priya made the change from lawyer to entrepreneur last year, and in this short time has already managed to secure deals with premium department stores and delis in 30 countries. Masala Masala creates authentic Indian cooking sauces – the only fresh, non-Anglicised Indian sauces on the chilled shelf.

Priya is inspired by her family; first generation Indians who immigrated to the UK with little money, and have gone on to establish successful businesses. Priya keeps this link with India alive through the Masala Masala Project which for every pot purchased, serves a meal to a homeless person in India.

Visit the Masala Masala website: www.masalamasala.co.uk

Vincent Mckevitt (29)

Tossed UK

Tossed is a chain of fast, healthy eating outlets, specialising in fresh tossed-to-order salads and all things healthy. Vincent was fresh out of university in 2005 when he spotted the gap in the market for filling, tasty, healthy salads.

Tossed has grown exponentially since then; the business now employs 85 people across six sites (with flagship stores in Harrods and Westfield). Seven more sites are set to open in 2009, including one on Tottenham Court Road the day before the Enterprising Young Brits Awards ceremony!

Visit the Tossed UK website: www.tosseduk.com

Jay Bregman (29)

eCourier

After being let down by a traditional courier company when he was desperate to get his hands on tickets to a tennis match, Jay used his Master’s thesis to overcome the problem! Combining service and technology, the company’s technology platform brings together mobile computing, location-based services, a Web 2.0 application, and an optimisation algorithm (which they have christened Larry!) that determines routes in real-time.

The company has solved the problems of low efficiency and high overheads that courier companies faced in the past. “We set out to solve a problem in our everyday life and have done just that - to the benefit of those who find themselves in similar positions,” says Jay. The company employs 45 people as well as 150 sub-contracted eCouriers.

Visit the eCourier website: www.ecourier.co.uk

Nicky Gray (23)

Kiki’s Kabin

Just 23 years old, Nicky is motivated by being able to create jobs in her local area and ensuring security for herself and her family. After feeling held back by her age and gender in her previous job, Nicky was determined to achieve more and do it for herself - and has certainly achieved this with Kiki’s Kabin!

Her business is an indoor soft play area and café, based in the busy town centre of North Shields, Tyne and Wear. Three floors provide entertainment for every age group, with assault courses, play areas, a lounge, pool tables and much more. Kiki’s Kabin manages to cater for the whole family, creating a safe, friendly, affordable environment for all.

Visit the Kiki’s Kabin website: www.kikiskabin.co.uk

It was no surprise to Nicky’s parents Ginny and David, when she expressed a desire to become an entrepreneur. Read their inspiring story here.