Bird & Wild

Bird & Wild won the Seed Fund contest in 2013

Food and drink brands in the South West are being urged to enter a competition offering one winner £100,000 in business, branding and marketing support.

The Seed Fund 2015 initiative - created by branding, communications and business planning and finance consultancies - is seeking entries from ‘passionate foodies’ with ‘brilliant food ideas and the energy, desire and determination to build inspiring and successful food brands and businesses’.

In return, one regional winner will receive a year’s worth of skills and resources to help grow the new brand.

The successful entrant could follow in the footsteps of 2013 Seed Fund winner Bird & Wild, whose organic coffee is now listed in Selfridges, Planet Organic and Whole Foods Market. Last year’s winner was Let Them Eat, a range of gluten-free baked goods using natural ingredients, that is currently in development and launches later this year.

“We’re looking for a good idea or concept from motivated, inspiring and entrepreneurial-minded people,” John Sheaves, chief executive of food producer trade body Taste of the West said. “The successful recipient of this year’s fund will have access to a fantastic portfolio of support and mentoring and Taste of the West is delighted to be a part of this great initiative again this year.” 

Applicants should apply online before 7 April 2015. To qualify, they must be a South West UK-based business, produce a brand or product within the region, show evidence of at least two years’ trading history and be the business owner or owners.