RedPivot team Morgan Williams, Rachel Matovu, Bleddyn Williams and Richard Willis
Exeter entrepreneurs scoop business awards
Two innovative Exeter alumni have walked away with business prizes in competitions across Wales.
Morgan Williams (Exercise and Sports Science 2011) was recently awarded the £4,000 top prize in a Dragon’s Den-style competition for his innovative custom-made skateboards.
Morgan was also recently shortlisted in the Young Entrepreneur category in the inaugural Monmouthshire Business Awards.
The category was won by Exeter alumna Emily Webb (Business and Management 2010) who founded Oarsome Potential, which produces innovative hand grips for rowers. In September she was named Young Entrepreneur of the Year at the South Wales Business Awards.
The Oarsome grips have been supplied to a high profile military hospital and TROOP AID, a military charity which uses them on injured soldiers' crutches. The grips were also used in training by 2012 Paralympic athletes.
Morgan developed his idea whilst at Exeter. When he couldn’t find a skateboard he liked, he started to shape some for himself and friends. As demand grew he realised there was an opportunity to develop it into a business and established his company RedPivot, which creates skateboards and longboards.
RedPivot also includes Exeter alumni Rachel Matovu (English and Film Studies 2012) and Michael Scull (MSc International Management and Marketing), who have helped with marketing and creating artwork for the boards.
Bleddyn Williams, Morgan’s brother, is a current Physics student at Exeter and has contributed in designing and building the machines and shaping the boards.
To cater for demand, Morgan built his own hydraulic press machine in his garage, a machine that exclusively caters to his creations. His innovative approach led to his winning the Gorsedd y Dreigiau, the Welsh equivalent of Dragon’s Den. His story has also featured on the BBC and in newspapers.
Morgan said “It’s been really great to have all this recognition through the media and the awards. Receiving funding for my business through grants has also really allowed me to pursue this business. I couldn’t have got this far without the help of everyone on the team."
The new RedPivot website will be launching soon, featuring unique software to allow customers to build a custom skateboard. Visit www.facebook.com/RedPivotUK for more information.
Date: 20 November 2012
