Prestigious prize boost for fledgling ‘feel good’ firm

A LEEDS University student whose business helps consumers find ethical products has won a prestigious Shell Livewire Grand Ideas award.

Ethical Community is run by Liam Patterson and alumnus Jason Dainter. Its planned web portal, www.ethicalcommunity.com provides those interested in ethical produce with a place to learn more about the products and the people behind

The Shell Livewire award recognises the potential of Ethical Community and has also provided Dainter and Patterson with £1,000 to develop their business concept.

The website, which will provide a platform for shoppers to learn about products and the story and people behind them, is set to be launched towards the end of the summer.

Both Mr Dainter and Mr Patterson, who is currently studying Environment and Business, have had other successful businessess and they have high hopes for Ethical Community.

“Our experiences with other businesses means we’ve been able to write a really robust business plan for Ethical Community and we’ve already got investors interested in it,” said Mr Dainter.

The pair are in constant contact with the university in particular Spark – the business start-up section of its careers centre.

“The Careers Centre has been incredibly supportive,” sais Mr Dainter.