Following a record number of entries from fledgling food and drink businesses across the UK, The Seed Fund has announced its shortlist of 24 start-ups for 2017, including seven of the south west's most innovative new producers. The philanthropic organisation, set up in 2013 to nurture food and drink's stars of tomorrow, will now begin the judging process to select 12 promising start-ups to join this year's Seed Academy.

Among those in the running for a place in the class of 2017 are a number of south west businesses offering new ways for consumers to enjoy great natural ingredients, including Ebb Tides from Sidmouth, which harvests seaweed from the Devon coast to produce a range of kitchen products, Bristol's New Kings Coffee, with its single origin coffee bags, and Outdoorfood from Dorset, producers of dehydrated meals for outdoor adventures, made with all natural ingredients.

This year's other shortlisted entries from the south west are Elspeth's Kitchen from Bath, creators of wholesome free from treats, Dorset's Oompf Energy, makers of 100% natural energy bars and balls for athletes, Happy Butter ghee from Totnes and Yossi Foods from Bristol, with its middle eastern falafels, pastes and spreads.

The shortlisted 24 will now be invited to present to The Seed Fund's panel of judges and pitch for their place in The Seed Fund Academy. This year's mentors, made up of well-respected industry professionals and business leaders, include Guy Tullberg from Tracklements, top baker Tom Herbert, Renée Elliott from Planet Organic, John and Tortie Farrand from the Guild of Fine Food, Primrose Matheson from Primrose's Kitchen, Nicki Stewart and Mark Wiltshire from Diverse Fine Food and Jayne Noblet and David Webb from Bristol-based design and marketing consultancy, The Collaborators.

Partnering with Great Taste for the first time this year, The Seed Fund is reaching out to more start-ups and entrepreneurs than ever before. Over the summer months, 12 Seed Academy members will benefit from series of seminars, workshops, one-on-one sessions with mentors, industry visits and meet the buyer events, with one eventual winner announced at the Great Taste Golden Fork Awards Dinner in September, receiving a further year of support worth over £100,000.

ENDS 

For more press information or images, please contact Sam Brice at Freshly Ground PR on 07961635960 or email sam@freshlygroundpr.co.uk.

Notes to editor

The Seed Fund

Established in 2013 by South West branding and marketing consultancy, The Collaborators, The Seed Fund is a philanthropic organisation set up to help fledgling food and drink businesses grow and flourish. Each year, a shortlist of carefully selected applicants is enrolled into The Seed Academy, an intensive programme run over the summer months and hosted by hand-picked industry experts. Offering an insight into all areas of business, Academy members benefit from invaluable advice and support, as they compete for The Seed Fund's annual prize. The Winner is selected by The Seed Academy's panel of mentors and receives a full year of business support, brand development and on-going advice from industry experts, a prize estimated to be worth over £100,000.

Previous winners include:

2016: Adam's Raw Chocolate www.adamsrawchocolate.com

2015: Yuyo – Yerba Mate beverages www.yuyo.co.uk

For more information about The Seed Fund, visit www.theseedfund.co.uk.