A charity that has spent the last 25 years helping young people start their own business has won the top prize at last week's Wandsworth Business Awards.
Business Launchpad, who won the Business of the Year award, offer free business advice to young entrepreneurs aged 16 to 30 who want to set up their own company.
The firm has a remarkable record with 85 per cent of businesses still trading after two years.
They were one of 11 companies to take home trophies in the individual categories on the night, held at the Roehampton Club on Thursday (November 7) and led by Wandsworth Chamber of Commerce.
The event, sponsored by The Tax Guys, was hosted by radio and television presenter Paul Ross and included a charity raffle that raised £1,370 for Breast Cancer Care.
Steve Pinto, chairman of Wandsworth Chamber of Commerce, said: "We haven’t had a business awards in Wandsworth for a couple of years as austerity measures meant it was getting tougher and tougher.
"The entries we have had from businesses has been phenomenal. Whether you win or not doesn’t matter. The fact you have taken part is a testament to the attitude that differentiates you from some of the business that have perhaps gone under, and you are all to be commended."
The category winners were:
Wandsworth’s Business of the Year (sponsored by The Tax Guys): Business Launchpad.
Best SME business: Elizabeth Marsh Floral Design.
Best Business For Customer Service (sponsored by White Label): GreenZone.
Entrepreneur of the Year (sponsored by Southside Wandsworth): Kate Giles of Crewroom.
Commitment to the Community: Business Launchpad.
Best New Business: Edward James Salon.
Best Green Green Business (sponsored by Roehampton University): Delphis Eco.
Best Business for Training & Development (sponsored by South Thames College): RS Consulting.
Best Independent Retailer (sponsored by Wandsworth & South London Press): Postmark Online.
Best Business for Marketing & Social Media: Gertrude & Ivy.
Pub of the Year: Pig & Whistle.
Restaurant of the Year: Amirah’s Kitchen
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