Packaging firm founder named in top 100 young entrepreneurs

Joe Frankel, who founded the company in 2006, became Scotland’s only winner of the 2009 Future 100 Award at a ceremony last week held in Kings Cross, London. The 33-year-old now joins a list of 99 other Future 100 entrepreneurs.

Vegware designs and manufactures a range of fully-biodegradable or compostable disposable catering and packaging products; as well as giving its clients access to a nationwide composting service. Clients include the NHS and Disney.

The company has also this month soft-launched a scheme to fund not-for-profit organisations that promote sustainability called the Vegware Community Fund.

“It’s fantastic when your efforts are recognised by others and I’m extremely flattered to be included in this prestigious list,” Frankel said.

“Modern business practices are evolving. Today’s young entrepreneurs realise they can make a real difference to an issue they care about, whilst running a profitable enterprise.”

The Future 100 Awards were launched last year by community interest company Striding Out. Heather Wilkinson, the company’s founder and the awards organiser, said that Vegware demonstrated how a business can be both environmentally responsible and commercially successful.

“Frankel fits this model perfectly, as he is demonstrating that a business which puts the environment first can also be profitable,” she said. “We were impressed with his ‘green’ business model and are pleased to give him this award.”

Last month, Packaging News reported that Vegware is planning to extend its range of products, after selling 20% of its business to venture capitalists Bradenham Partners for a six-figure sum.

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