A not-for-profit Bristol company dedicated to serving blind communities has won a prize worth £60k.
Bristol Braille manufactures a range of revolutionary new Braille reading devices called 'Canute'. Canute is the first full-page digital Braille display in the world that enables blind adults to read, share images, and follow live sport on digital tactile tablets.
The company won Sage’s Small Business XI competition and will now receive advertising support, business advice, and an association with the 2024 edition of the cricket tournament, The Hundred.
Sage, a global technology firm, launched the competition as part of its Official Insights partnership with The Hundred in a bid to provide "monumental, life-changing support" to one winner as well as prizes for ten runners up.
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Bristol Braille’s victory means the company will benefit from 12 month's worth of prizes and support, including hospitality and match tickets, mentoring from Sage small business experts and the England and Wales Cricket Board, access to high profile cricket talent to help promote their business, as well as publicity and brand exposure, worth over £50,000, at cricket grounds around the Ƶ.
Ed Rogers, founder, Bristol Braille Technology, said: “Everyone on our team is incredibly excited and honoured to be selected as the winner of the Sage Small Business XI competition with The Hundred. And what a surprise to get an unscheduled visit from Stuart Broad to our workshop!
“This is an opportunity to promote cricket, including visually impaired cricket, and demonstrate the flexibility of our Braille display technology for blind people in all fields of life. Sport should be accessible to all and we’re grateful to Stuart, the ECB and Sage for recognising the work that we and our community of Braillists are doing.”
Sally Moore, global sponsorship director at Sage, added: "We're extremely pleased to announce Bristol Braille as the winner of the Sage Small Business XI Competition. Our intention behind this competition was not just to recognise, but also to support the small and medium businesses that serve as the backbone of the Ƶ's economy.
“The prize combines the essence of hands-on business mentorship with a golden chance for premium exposure via The Hundred cricket tournament. We're genuinely excited and to forward to seeing the impact this will have on Bristol Braille and the commendable work they do.”
Stuart Broad, former England Cricketer commented: "As a small business owner myself, I have directly experienced the many issues facing small business owners across the nation and understand how this prize could be life changing.
“Bristol Braille were a real standout candidate and I can’t wait to see how they use the prize to take their business to the next level.”
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