Eight finalists announced for The One Competition

The One Competition has just announced the eight finalists for this year’s The One Competition. The entrants come from across East Anglia, including; Cambridge, Chelmsford, Brentwood, Colchester and Bury St Edmunds, and are in with a chance of winning a business support package worth over £35,000.
On Tuesday 24 November the eight finalists will present to the judges at Layer Marney Tower before the successful winner is selected.
Meet 2015’s finalists below…
Cranes Drink
Cambridge based Cranes Drink was established in 2013 by identical twins Ben and Dan Ritsema and offers the world’s first premium cranberry cider. Cranes Drink is brewed with crushed cranberries to make a refreshing 4% alcoholic drink and comes in three flavours; Original Cranberry, Raspberry & Pomegranate and Strawberry & Kiwi. The premium cider is 100% natural, high in juice, with low added sugar and has only 99 calories. Cranes Drink has already proved to be a success and within a month of launching, the beverage was stocked on Ocado.com.
Canesmith & Co
Canesmith & Co creates gourmet sweets for adults, bringing sweets up to date and crafting a truly premium product. Canesmith & Co is based in Cambridge and began trading in July 2015. Since then, Founder Laura Brown has seen great success as the sweets were launched into Selfridges as part of its “Meet the Makers” campaign.
Fox Tonic
Cambridge based Fox Tonic offers a new and exciting twist on the classic G & T. After the rapid increase in the sales of gin in the UK, Claire Martinsen, Founder of Fox Tonic, saw a gap in the market for craft tonic water. Fox Tonic is available in four flavours; Tonic Water, Tonic Light, Tonic Water with Elderflower and Tonic Water with Cucumber, and is made with no artificial colours, flavours or sweeteners.
uPgrow
Based in Chelmsford, uPgrow, which was established early this year by John Bernardes, is a fence panel company focusing on eco-design products. uPgrow uses recycled PVC to produce panels that can be remanufactured into more fence panels without consuming additional materials. These fence panels last up to four times longer than a standard panel and can be recycled into more uPgrow panels once no longer needed.
Morgan Collins
Morgan Collins, founded by Sarah Collins and Lucy Morgan, produces modern and innovative pairs of pyjama trousers designed for children and young people who regularly experience bed wetting. This new technology provides a discreet and environmentally friendly alternative to embarrassing, bulky disposables.
Margie & Doll
Margie & Doll is based in Brentwood and was founded by Nikki Da Costa-Smith after she noticed a massive gap in women’s retail. Margie & Doll provides a luxury pop up clothing and accessories boutique experience which is entirely mobile, enabling the brand to visit their customers’ home or place of business. Margie & Doll prides itself on the fashion advice given to customers, ensuring everyone leaves feeling positive after their experience.
The Lampshade Company
The Lampshade Company is an online award-winning business specialising in the creation of high-end lampshades which are handmade to order at their Colchester studio. The Lampshade Company was established in 2011 by Angela Berry who set up the business in her spare bedroom and opened a small eBay shop. Since 2011, Angela has won the Gold Award for Small Business Website at the Essex Digital Awards and was also featured on Peter Andre’s 60 Minute Makeover in 2014.
Jardine of London
Jardine of London is a new and exciting British heritage luxury handbag brand which was established in 2014 by Mary Jardine from Bury St Edmunds. Jardine of London is proud to be a British brand and sources the highest quality soft calf leather which gives their handbags a luxurious feel. Since launching 18 months ago Jardine of London has exhibited at the London Fashion Week off schedule show in Covent Garden and is now stocked in Wolf & Badger in Mayfair.