Four young and talented entrepreneurs have fought their way to the National Entrepeneur of the Year Finals for their chance to secure a £5,000 investment in their business. The four hopefuls pitched their businesses to Peter Jones CBE, Dragon on BBC’s hit series Dragons’ Den, along with a panel of celebrated business figures. The esteemed judging panel included: Meg Zeenat Wamithi CEO of MindMapper, Simon Alexander Ong bestselling author and keynote speaker, Dr Tara Lalvani CEO of Beautifect, and Chris Bird Executive Chairman of the Quest Media Network.  

At this year’s Tycoon Awards and PJEA Graduation Ceremony, Leicester College student, Jevean Barryclough was announced as the 2023 winner. Jevean pitched Da Goat Clothing, a business that has turned her love for sewing and upcycled fashion into a successful brand. Focused on sustainable practises and unique garments, Da Goat is breaking boundaries in what a fashion brand should be, by providing exclusive luxury fashion pieces, with an emphasis on a slow production process and minimising carbon emissions. With the £5,000 investment, Jevean aims to launch a unisex fashion collection and propel her design into the mainstream.  

Leicester College became a Peter Jones Enterprise Academy in 2012 and the staff has served to champion enterprise education amongst their students. Last year, Leicester College student Cerys Andrew won the title with her business Little Leprechauns, later renamed Cullen Academy.  

Each finalist studies at the Peter Jones Enterprise Academy (PJEA) within their respective colleges and has developed their businesses at part of the PJEA programme.  

• Hamish Hutchinson from Morrison’s Academy pitched his clothing business, Hutchy Bikes, aimed at the mountain biking community. His brand symbolises the aspirations and determination everyone has to reach personal milestones.  

• Abbie Harrison from East Durham College pitched Nellie Loves, a sustainable clothing brand for children with a focus on gender-neutral designs. Specialising in high quality, traditional, and timeless designs Anna hopes to become the first gender neutral, wholesale baby clothing supplier in the UK. 

• Anna Fidler from East Durham College pitched Candlistic, looking for investment in her food scented candle brand. Candlistic offers wax melts shaped as different treats such as popcorn, chocolate, and ice cream. Anna impressed the judges with her product design and received £2,500 as this year’s Highly Commended finalist.  

Peter Jones CBE, Chairman of Peter Jones Foundation said: 
“It was fantastic to meet our four finalists in person. I strongly believe that this country needs entrepreneurial young people more than ever, it is this generation that will incite positive social change and push forward the economy for years to come. 

The quality of submissions we’ve received for this year’s award has been outstanding and selecting the winner was a true challenge. The high standard is testament to the depth of entrepreneurial talent that we have across the Peter Jones Enterprise Academy network.” 

Beena Ghattoraya, PJEA Programme Lead, Leicester College, stated:
“The first time I spoke to Jevean, I instantly had a feeling she was perfect for the Peter Jones Enterprise Academy course and that she could be a contender for the National Entrepreneur of the Year competition. We first saw her products at the business surgery, she was already trading using Instagram. The staff and students here are a big fan of Jeevan’s brand and the brand has been an instant hit here at Leicester College. Jevean has passion, compassion and believes in making a difference, she demonstrates the values of the Peter Jones Foundation, and we are so proud of her at the college. She is a role model to all the students. We are very much looking forward to supporting her to scale up the business in the second year. Well done, Jevean!” 

Run by the Peter Jones Foundation, the Peter Jones Enterprise Academy is a network of schools and colleges that deliver courses in business and entrepreneurship.  

National Entrepreneur of the Year is the Foundation’s flagship competition. To reach the finals, applicants submit detailed business plans and pitch their ideas and hopes for the future to the Foundation and business leaders. 

Previous National Entrepreneur of the Year winners, include Ross Bailey, Founder, AppearHere, which has gone on to raise over $20million in Venture Capital funding; David Humpston, Founder, ViewPoint Videos, who became one of the youngest people ever to receive a Virgin StartUp loan; and Natasha Bates, Founder, EasyRead, who won the competition in 2019 with great acclaim from the judges.