British Council unveils entrepreneurship longlist

The British Council has identified ten finalists in its search for the UK Young Design Entrepreneur of the Year 2009.

The competition is open to designers aged between 25 and 35 working in product, furniture, exhibition or events design, as well as in architecture.

The award scheme’s acting programme manager, Karen Kindley, says, ‘We are seeking the brightest young business talents working in the design industry.’

The longlist features design writer Max Fraser, who this month produced the London Design Guide, published by Spotlight Press, which gives the lowdown on London’s design scene (Feature, DW 3 September).

The list also features Anna Hart, co-founder of Cornish furniture design company Mark Product, which is set to unveil new products including Tomoko Azumi’s standard lamp and Gala Wright’s Arris range at 100% Design next week.

Other finalists include Nick Rawcliffe, founder of Raw Studio, and Matteo Bianchi, founder of Daruma Design. Dan Ziglam, co-founder of furniture design company Deadgood, is also on the list, as is Jason Perkis, who invented the Peepo GPS system for guide dogs.

The list is completed by ceramic designer Andrew Tanner, founder of Andrew Tanner Design, Scott Jarvie, of multidisciplinary consultancy Jarvie Design, Alex Griffin, founder of designer-maker commerce website Bouf, and Sam Lanyon, who runs museum and trade show design firm Concept Shed.

Six finalists will be selected on 22 September, and their work will be displayed at 100% Design at Earls Court. The six will also be invited on a paid-for tour of Turkey in November, where they will be encouraged to network and establish contacts with local designers and other entrepreneurs there.

The winner will be announced in February 2010. They will be awarded £5000, to spend on developing a project with a Turkish contact.