Three start-ups win GBP £25,000 for social innovation ideas

Monzo Business and Enterprise Nation have announced the winners of the Start Up Idea of the Year competition. Three start-ups were recognised for their social and environmental contributions.

The competition, which attracted nearly 3,000 submissions, sought to identify new businesses that address current societal and environmental challenges while demonstrating clear growth and community impact strategies. A panel of judges selected the winners with criteria based on business potential, strategic clarity, and demonstrated effect on their communities.

Phyta Biodesign, based in London, secured first place and a grant of GBP £10,000. Led by Architectural Designer Zain Ansari, Phyta Biodesign aims to increase urban biodiversity with its product, Apia – modular wall panels constructed from mycelium, which can serve as habitats for solitary bees. The panels are designed to be integrated into buildings and homes, providing scalable options to combat pollinator decline in cities. Ansari plans to invest the funding in further refining his prototype and scaling the business, to establish a design and fabrication studio with a strong UK presence.

Reflecting on his journey, Zain Ansari said, "The UK is currently leading the integration of biodiversity in architecture globally with the Biodiversity Net Gain policy. We want to utilise this opportunity to foster innovation and create new jobs here – and show biodiversity can be a strong, viable business."

Phyta Biodesign has already received recognition, including a Bronze Medal at the Chelsea Flower Show and support from University College London's BaseKX incubator. Ansari intends to allocate the grant towards refining the Apia prototype and enhancing outreach to architects and developers in the UK and internationally.

Birmingham-based cubbi, founded by sisters Olivia and Tanyka Davson, was awarded second place and a grant of GBP £8,000. The app provides new parents with exclusive discounts on popular brands, inspired by the success of student discount platforms like UNiDAYS but tailored to the parental market. Olivia Davson created the platform after experiencing the high costs of baby essentials during her own maternity leave.

Describing the venture, Olivia Davson said, "cubbi is revolutionising financial support for new parents, bringing a proven discount model to a group that has been overlooked - parents on maternity and paternity leave."

Since its launch in 2024, cubbi has registered over 10,000 app downloads and built a community of 20,000 Instagram followers. The company plans to use the grant to expand its user base further, particularly among fathers, with a dedicated Father's Day campaign.

Tanyka Davson highlighted the founders' background and ambitions: "We're not the typical founders. But we're showing that people like us can scale successful businesses. Support from Monzo and Enterprise Nation is helping us take cubbi to the next level."

London-based Intotum, founded by 23-year-old Hanan Tantush, achieved third place and a GBP £7,000 grant. Intotum produces adaptive clothing specifically designed for disabled individuals, aiming to combine functionality, style, and inclusivity. The idea originated after Tantush saw her grandfather encounter difficulties finding comfortable, dignified clothing following cancer treatment.

Sharing her philosophy, Tantush said, "Representation is everything. People need to see themselves in campaigns, feel heard in design decisions, and have businesses that actually hire from their community."

Referencing research from disability charity Scope that found disabled households face GBP £1,010 more in monthly costs, Tantush's vision for Intotum is rooted in economic and social inclusion. The grant will be used to fund new collections, including seated coats and adaptive trousers, and to prepare for expanding onto the UK high street.

"It's about dignity and independence - we think everybody should be able to express their true self through style," Tantush said.

The three winning start-ups will receive a cash grant, individualised business support from Enterprise Nation, and a six-month Monzo Business Pro account offer to help their development.

Jordan Shwide, General Manager, Monzo Business, commented, "At Monzo, we're proud to serve more than half a million businesses across the UK — and every day, we see the passion, creativity and resilience it takes to build something from the ground up. These three winners are shining examples of that spirit in action. They're solving real problems in innovative ways, and we're thrilled to champion them as part of a business community that's shaping the future, and help them take their businesses to the next level."

Emma Jones, CBE, founder and Chief Executive Officer of Enterprise Nation, said, "Start-ups play a vital role in stimulating growth and innovation in the UK. This initiative is about highlighting the journey and the challenges, and how brilliant people like these entrepreneurs solve them.

"It's such a pleasure to see these determined, talented entrepreneurs build something that supports communities and sustainability - reinforcing the notion that good ideas can become good businesses."