Startup competition winners announced

Tuesday 25 October 2022

The 2022 Guernsey Venture Challenge concluded with select businesses pitching to win £40,000 for their startup – and now the winners have been announced.

The Digital Greenhouse’s initiative saw 55 local businesses apply for the island's first funded startup accelerator competition in July.

After an intensive six-week accelerator programme where the seven shortlisted businesses worked with mentors from Blenheim Chalcot – they gathered for the Pitch Night Final on October 20.

The shortlisted businesses EaseeDo, Evidence, ISO-PASS, NionNet Origin, Sentient Software, Sleep Better Live Better and Troupa each pitched for the first prize. 

NionNet Origin, a code generation engine liberating developers from the repetitive work required in the application development process, was crowned the winner following consideration from the judges. 

In second place was EaseeDo who were awarded £20,000 for their venture and the Youngpreneur prize was awarded to ISO-PASS along with £5,000 prize money.

The winners will be presented their prizes at The Véyaon Awards evening on the 17th of November 2022. A new business awards celebrating innovation and entrepreneurship in Guernsey.

Pictured: This was the first edition of the Guernsey Venture Challenge. 

Nick Gregg, Head of Strategic Projects, Blenheim Chalcot commented: “It was a very difficult decision for us as judges and we are excited to see how both the prize winners and all entrants progress in the coming months. We hope the GVC will help inspire a new wave of entrepreneurs on the island”. 

GVC winner Dave Zak of NionNet Origin said they applied “unwavering passion” to build the business off the ground. 

“What we have created is for every developer who can’t get home in daylight and every development manager that can barely see through their backlog thicket,” he said.

“We know the power of our software and completely believe in the benefits of using it, but, oh my goodness, winning first prize showed us that all our efforts have been vindicated.”

Lucy Kirby, Director of the Digital Greenhouse added: “Congratulations to the wining businesses of the first Guernsey Venture Challenge, and all those who applied, showcasing once again the innovation and entrepreneurial drive in the island. 

“We look forward to continuing to work with new and growing businesses in 2023 as we expand the programmes and services offered by the Digital Greenhouse.”