SWIG Finance client, Rocket Gardens has been shortlisted for two categories at the Citi Microentrepreneurship Awards. A transformative prize of £7,500 will be awarded to the winner in each category at an Awards Ceremony on 13 March 2019 in Liverpool.

The Citi Microentrepreneurship Awards are the annual celebration of Britain’s microentrepreneurs who have accessed “responsible” business finance. The awards, which launched in 2005, (and in 2013 in the UK) were established by the Citi Foundation to recognise best-in-class microentrepreneurs and the responsible finance sector.

For the first time ever, the awards are aligned to the UN Sustainable Development Goals, celebrating those whose businesses are contributing to economic growth, social and environmental wellbeing.

Responsible finance providers – the leading financial institutions offering affordable finance to many small and microenterprises – have also been shortlisted for awards, covering their impact and their resilience.

The number of microenterprises continues to grow in Britain, with the UK’s 1.11m micro-businesses employing over 4m people – 17.6 per cent of the workforce.

A third of microenterprises access external sources of finance, and “the advice, mentoring, business support and skills development that responsible finance providers offer to their client businesses and social enterprises is just as important as the finance they provide,” according to Jennifer Tankard, Chief Executive of Responsible Finance.

“The Citi Microentrepreneurship Awards are a celebration of the enterprises and local businesses that are the backbone of our communities. Year upon year, we see the increasing value of microenterprises in the UK, from businesses that have created jobs for marginalised youth, to businesses providing low-cost services for charities, or developing innovative and sustainable food sources,” said Bob Annibale, Global Director, Citi Inclusive Finance and Community Development.

“The year’s awards align with the UN Sustainable Development Goals agenda and the shortlisted businesses and responsible finance providers all contribute to economic growth and the social and environmental vibrancy of their communities.”

Managing Director of SWIG Finance, John Peters adds: “Mike is an inspirational entrepreneur whose success is driven by social and environmental principles. It is a privilege for us at SWIG Finance to work with such an ethically- focussed and innovative venture as Rocket Gardens.

The Finalists in the Citi Microentrepreneurship Awards are listed in alphabetical order for each category:

Growth Award finalists:

  • Aquapac Ltd of Cumbernauld, Scotland, nominated by DSL Business Finance Ltd
  • The Garden Shop of Colyton, Devon, nominated by Fredericks Foundation
  • Hypermotive of Lutterworth, Leicestershire, nominated by Enterprise Loans East Midlands

Social Entrepreneur of the Year Award finalists:

Sustainability Award finalists:

 

See the finalists for all categories here.