GIMA is encouraging new business and innovators to consider entering the 2023 GIMA Innovators Seed Corn Fund, with this year’s winner being unveiled at Glee.

Introduced in 2014 – and supported by Glee ever since - the fund offers the winner an unrivalled prize package, including a grant of up to £6,000 which includes a year’s full GIMA membership, plus a wide range of business support tools including free exhibition space at Glee and free PR support during the event. In addition, the winners package also includes design, development and manufacturing or marketing cost support up to the value of £3,000; access to an industry business consultant; one-year ACID (Anti Copying In Design) membership; and an advert in the next GIMA Product Digest.

Since its inauguration, seven highly deserving winners have been crowned, all of which have gone on to witness significant core growth including Green Digit (SeedCell), Natural Grower, PotMate™, Vivagreen, Bloomin Amazing and Qwickhose, who scooped the award in 2022. Since their win, Qwickhose has had a busy time building new retail relationships and promoting Qwickhose’s unique wing-lock system which is changing the game when it comes to hose connectors. Made entirely in the UK, Qwickhose’s original connector is seeing its family expand with new designs on the horizon, including a set of mini spray heads, a multi-spray gun, a double-ended wing lock hose joiner and a double male hose coupler. A first look at these new products can be seen at Glee 2023 where the company will return one year after being crowned GISCF winners 2022.

Talking about the value of the win, Qwickhose’s Michelle Doughty said: “Winning the GIMA Innovators Seed Corn Fund was a huge confidence boost for us. It is no mean feat completely redesigning a product that has existed for as long as anyone can remember! The award provided us with an invaluable sales pitch, which assisted in generating sales. We know we have a fantastic product; we just need to educate people on this and mentioning the GISCF award gets people’s attention and instils a confidence in them to make the purchase.”

As GIMA make preparations to crown the 2023 winner on the first day of Glee 2023 (Tuesday 27th June) - GIMA Director, Vicky Nuttall said: “Armed with just an idea and a prototype, or a product that represents the investment of a lifetime, each year we see an influx of brands keen to break into the garden retail market. Wanting to support and celebrate this grassroot development, the GISCF is there to help these inventors and small businesses navigate a new marketplace and to, hopefully, accelerate their growth. We’re excited to see this year’s entries and to revealing our winner next month.”

Businesses interested in entering the GIMA Innovators Seed Corn Fund in 2023 are invited to do so by visiting the GIMA website and completing the online application form ahead of the closing date of May 31st, 2023. The full criteria on eligibility to enter can also be found here.

For further information about GIMA, please call (01959) 564947 or email info@gima.org.uk