THIS category is for businesses which have been established for a year or less and which can demonstrate imagination, planning and commitment.

UNBRANDED DIGITAL

UNBRANDED Digital is a full service design agency providing a range of digital services such as branding, graphic design and web design. The business was founded by Justin Stedmans and Lee Hart, both Bradford born and both graduates from Bradford School of Art.

Lee said: “Bradford is always seen as being in the shadow to Leeds. We want to work with local business as well as international clients to give Bradford a better visual identity and to make it a place to be.”

Unbranded Digital has strong ties with Bradford College and provides internships and work experience to undergraduates.

IRON OCTOPUS

THIS Baildon-based steel fabrication business was started by father and son team Ben and Daniel Green.

It has already achieved some significant milestones, including being accepted into the Guild of Master Craftsmen; producing balconies for the Saatchi Gallery in London and producing the Santa’s Sleigh centrepiece for The Home, at Salts Mill in Saltaire.

In its first year Iron Octopus has grown its workforce, achieved national distribution of handmade products, has a healthy bottom line and projected business growth for the year ahead.

ACE OF VAPES

BROTHERS John and Damon Selby founded the e-cigarette and vaping retailer and run it from a base in Idle.

Tapping into a growing market, the business opened three local stores in its first year along with an online sales site. Ace of Vapes currently employs three staff and hopes to expand its operations over the next 12 months, including adding two more stores and creating new jobs and boosting turnover to more than £250,000.