FIVE innovative Hampshire businesses will do battle tomorrow for a £10,000 prize to help them take their idea to the next level.

The businesses are on the shortlist for the Battle of the Pitches, a live competition taking place at the innovation festival Venturefest South.

Finalists were picked from nearly 60 entries and a long list of 15 and will present their ideas live tomorrow, Thursday, November 17, at the Ageas Bowl. The prize money is being provided by headline partner CATAX.

READ MORE: Venturefest South joins drive to help innovators take action during Global Entrepreneurship Week

The finalists are:

  • A new way of trying on clothes. Everessence, affiliated to Solent University, creates a virtual version of the user, so they can see how they will look in the clothes they are browsing for in shops.

Co-founder Alexandru Solca said: “We are creating a system which tracks every customer’s style, appearance and path into a fashion store.”

The software creates a virtual self with only three pictures. Early clients include a high-end store in Saudi Arabia.

 

  • A hand-held commercial kitchen label printer, Labl.it.

The Southampton-based business seeks to make kitchens safer, faster and more efficient, with less food waste and lower risk of allergen contamination, as well as happier staff.

Founder Sean Larsen said: “Labl.it is the only hand-held commercial kitchen label printer available on the market. Predominantly, the device is designed to print back of house prep labels but the device can also print ingredients labels – keeping business compliant with the newly-introduced Natasha’s Law regulations.”

 

 

  • A compostable alternative to the single-use trays in convenience meals and take-aways, which are used two billion times a year in the UK, developed by KCC Packaging in Eastleigh.

Managing director Kevin Clarke said: “Everybody knows the current takeaway-type products which are used, which are largely polypropylene, a microwavable product and a plastic which is not widely recycled.”

READ MORE: Southampton business invents biodegradable trays for ready meals

He said KCC Packaging’s products are suitable for fresh or frozen foods and safe at up to 240 degrees Celsius in the oven.  They are made from plants and have a low carbon footprint, he said, and the range includes trays, lids for takeaways and cups.

 

  • powerQuad, based in Bordon, which has developed a clean, silent battery alternative to the diesel generators used at live events.

Portsmouth Distillery, which has produced a drink described as England’s first, made-from-scratch, authentically-aged rum.