Paul Hawkins — Sport & Entertainment
'Since joining Courvoisier's The Future 500 we've gone from strength to strength,' says Hawkins. In May, he launched a new business, pulselive.com, a multi-platform application aimed at sports fans. 'We're working with completely different technology, engaging viewers closer to live content, combining television, mobile and the internet. My aim is to shape Pulse into a cutting-edge sporting social network and fantasy sport portal, with the technology to match.'
Charlie Paton — Science & Innovation
'From being off the radar last year, we're now welcoming interest from the Middle East, India and America regarding potentially big installations,' says Paton. 'Last spring, we tentatively launched the Sahara Forest project, combining concentrated solar power and Seawater Greenhouse to produce renewable energy, water and food in one of the hottest places on earth. This large-scale project, using Seawater Greenhouse technology, reflects a paradigm shift in the understanding of greenhouse technology.'
Vincent McKevitt — Food
After opening at Harrods102 in September, Tossed launched its first franchise operation in Baker Street during October. Tossed also opened for business in Westfield London, the largest shopping complex in Europe, on 30 October. 'We're aiming to open two more outlets before the end of the year and we're planning the first Tossed franchise conference event in 2009,' says McKevitt. 'And our new Tossed electric delivery van is causing a stir in central London.'
Benjamin Shine — Art & Design
Shine's creative business has developed significantly. Mega Brands America signed the US license rights for Cordz creative arts, securing $5m worth of orders. His landscape sculpture submission for the Major Canberra Artwork project was shortlisted and one of his first limited-edition furniture pieces, ChairMan, launched at London Design Week. Next year will see the launch of two new children's creative activity ranges and the completion of a series of private and public artwork commissions.
Sital Punja — Public Life
Punja gave birth to a baby daughter in March and has since been juggling motherhood and work. She says that The Future 500 has helped Sari UK to secure more work through local boroughs. 'We collaborated with Camden council on the Bangladeshi Women's Outreach programme and inspired Brother UK to set up a local programme with their community,' she says. Sari has also forged partnerships with organisations including Onelessplasticbag.
Will Beckett — Drink
'This year has been about tough decisions,' says Beckett. 'As a result we've sold two of our businesses. We're now looking for investors in our Hawksmoor steak restaurants, which we're rolling out over the next few years. The Future 500 allowed us to pitch to a trio of investors, which was a great experience, and hopefully 2009 will see big changes in the company as well as a new restaurant.'
Ryan Notz — Business
After winning £35,000 of funding from Seedcamp, a European start-up competition, Notz closed a much larger seed investment from Travis Perkins and top UK angel investors. Notz also says he has gained valuable advice from Jamie Murray Wells, one of Courvoisier The Future 500's judges. 'We've expanded our team,' Notz says, 'and successfully relaunched the site as mybuilder. com. We're an early stage business, but growing fast and I'm still learning all the time.'
Anna Scaife — Fashion & Retail
Scaife says that The Future 500 helped her reach a more mature, over-25 audience and increased brand awareness: 'We've since launched a concession in Topshop and, thanks to funding from the Future Bank, collaborated on an accessories range inspired by the signature motifs of the Laura Lees label, with Angie Denapoli. We've also made several contacts through the Future 500 network, including Vincent McKevitt, who advised us on appointing a non-executive director.'
Rupert Loman — Media
Loman says that Eurogamer has flourished over the past 12 months. 'Our revenues are up more than 50%,' he reveals, 'and we've expanded our business, launching local Eurogamer websites in Spain, Italy, Portugal and the Netherlands, in addition to the existing UK, French and German sites. We've also moved into live events with Eurogamer Expo, the UK's biggest consumer games event which took place at the end of October in London.'
Stephen Chapman — Travel & Leisure
In addition to his original website, maketravelfair.com, Chapman has launched maketravelfair.co.uk, an online magazine written by travellers, of which he is the editor. Since joining The Future 500, Chapman has completed an around-the-world trip, taking in the Cook Islands, New Zealand and Indonesia among other destinations. He is always planning his next escape, but is currently learning to appreciate the surroundings he grew up in.
