A start-up company has been named a finalist in a national awards ceremony.

The Wedgee Box Company, based in Ringwood, has been shortlisted for the UK StartUp Awards.

The awards were launched to recognise the booming start-up scene across the UK, which has accelerated over the last few years with 846,000 new businesses founded in the UK in 2024.

More than 750 businesses have been shortlisted for this year's UK StartUp Awards.

Innovative shoe storage start-up named finalist in South East categoryInnovative shoe storage start-up named finalist in South East category (Image: Nicky Bates) The Wedgee Box Company offers a new and unique patented product to the market - individual footwear holders used when travelling and at home for storage.

The business has been nominated for the 'Consumer Products StartUp of the Year' Award in South East England.

Founder Nicky Bates said: "We launched this business with a completely new product, no guarantees or known forecast - just a strong belief to build something that matters.

"Continual dedication and passion has kept us moving forward and being named a finalist at the South East StartUp Awards is a monumental moment for us."

Wedgee Box earns national spotlight with patented travel productWedgee Box earns national spotlight with patented travel product (Image: Nicky Bates) The cohort of finalists will be considered for the regional prizes by a panel of seasoned judges with experience founding or supporting entrepreneurial ventures.

The winners from each region will then be invited to the first UK final taking place at Ideas Fest, the Glastonbury for Business festival in Hertfordshire on September 12.

Professor Dylan Jones-Evans OBE, the creator of the UK StartUp Awards, said: "New businesses are the driving force behind any thriving economy, generating employment, pioneering innovation and contributing to prosperity across the UK.

"This year's finalists embody the very best of entrepreneurial spirit - spotting opportunities and, through dedication, skill and resilience, turning them into thriving ventures that are making a tangible difference in their industries.

"More importantly, all the winners will go on to represent their region at the 2025 UK National StartUp Awards later this year."

The UK StartUp Awards were created in collaboration with the team behind the Great British Entrepreneur Awards, one of the most successful awards programmes in the UK.

The UK StartUp Awards are running for the fourth year after launching in 2022.