business news
BUSINESS WOMEN SCOTLAND
HSBC gives scottish SMEs the chance to win
£150,000 cash to support their growth ambitions
SMEs in Scotland could be in with a chance of
winning £150,000 cash from HSBC to help make
their ambitions a reality in a major pitch competition.
The Elevator Pitch, which has been designed by
HSBC to help UK businesses with a turnover of up
to and including £10 million, asks businesses to
explain in a 90-second pitch video how they would
elevate their business with £150,000. The online
competition (www.hsbc.co.uk/elevator) is part of
HSBC’s Elevator programme which also includes a
series of talks and written guides to help businesses
move to the next level.
HSBC is looking for innovative and exciting
responses to the brief which could see them win the
cash prize, as well as 10 hours of mentoring from
business experts.
Susan Rowand, HSBC’s Head of Business Banking
in Scotland, said: “SMEs are the lifeblood of the UK
economy, employing some 15 million people with a
combined turnover of £1.6 trillion. The Elevator Pitch
could help these businesses fast-forward their growth
plans, giving the winner the opportunity to make
investments that may have been projected two or three
years down the line. This sort of cash and support
could open a lot of doors.”
Some of the ways Scottish SMEs might use the
money include investing in staff training, developing
new sales channels, delivering a one-off marketing
campaign, incorporating new technology and IT
systems or expanding into new markets.
• Prize also includes invaluable mentoring from
leading business experts
• Open to start-up businesses through to those
with a £10m turnover
• Businesses have until 30 November 2015 to
submit video pitches
How to enter
To find out more about the competition and upload your
business’s 90-second video, visit www.hsbc.co.uk/
elevator before the closing date of 30 November 2015.
The winner will be announced towards the end of
February.
The competition is open to any UK business from
start-ups through to those with a turnover of £10
million. Entrants must be at least 18 years old and be
prepared to take part in all elements of the campaign.
For further information please contact:
Billy Partridge, Stephanie Malcolm or Gerard Klein
Direct: 0131 226 2363
Email: [email protected]
Twitter: @HSBCUKBusiness
Edinburgh entrepreneur leaves investment
career to launch electronic slimming aid
An Edinburgh entrepreneur has launched the UK’s
first electronic slimming aid and habit trainer to
help users cut out snacking and change their eating
habits for good.
Mum of two, Liz Casely, created Slissie when she
realised she needed a helping hand to cut out snacking
and lose weight after having her two children.
Liz created a prototype version of Slissie and, in
conjunction with a calorie controlled diet, lost 18lbs in
just over two months and kept it off. She was inspired to
set up her business, Slim Lizzie Ltd, after friends begged
her to share her weight loss secrets.
Liz, who had successful a career in investment and
finance in London and Edinburgh prior to setting up Slim
Lizzie, has now secured support from Entrepreneurial
Spark and help from financial backers to launch her
product to market.
Liz commented: “Over 100 women have tested Slissie
in trials and the results have been fantastic. I’m very
excited to be bringing this product to market to help
anyone wanting to eat more healthily and make better
choices, or for those looking for a willpower boost to help
them stick to their chosen weight loss plan.
“Launching Slissie so far has been hard work but
extremely rewarding. It has been great to have the
support of the Entrepreneurial Spark team to help me on
my business journey.
“When I first created Slissie, it made sticking to my
weight loss eating plan so much easier as I just didn’t
feel hungry. After using Slissie for a few weeks, I started
to change my bad habits.
“A year on I only need to use my Slissie occasionally
as I have replaced my bad habits with good ones. I’m
lighter than I was 20 years ago and feel great.”
Jim Duffy, CEO of Entrepreneurial Spark, said: “We
support Slim Lizzie Ltd. and are working hard with
Edinburgh Chiclet Liz Casely to help her to scale up her
innovative business. I’ve been impressed by Liz’s go-do
attitude and look forward to seeing her business grow.”
Slissie works by delivering a burst of tasty, appetite
suppressing flavour to distract the user from snacking.
Designed to look like a tube of mascara, Slissie is discrete,
portable and easy to use. It is available with four caloriefree flavours; Original Mint, Fruit, Vanilla and Chocolate.
Users press a button to releases appetite suppressing
flavours and energy-boosting guarana, which the user
sucks for tasty, calorie-free flavour.
The Slissie electronic slimming aid is available to
purchase for just £39.99 from www.slissie.co.uk
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