Torbay’s entrepreneurs took the chance to pitch their business ideas in a bid to win the first Torbay SOUP event.

The event was delivered by TDA in partnership with GAIN and Plymouth University.

Daniel Newman, Senior Economic Development Officer at TDA, said: “The event really brought local businesses together and gave four exciting entrepreneurs the opportunity to build awareness of their business, get business support and raise funds for further investment. All the business ideas were superbly delivered and we are looking forward to working with Toby Chant from the Love Sports Project.”

The Love Sports Project is a social enterprise that has been set up with the support of the Lloyds Bank Funded, School for Social Entrepreneurs and aims to make the benefits of sport accessible to more.

The project currently runs a number of sport sessions across Torbay and South Devon to enrich the lives of individuals, families and communities and is looking to develop a new Sports Shop where the profits go back into increasing these opportunities.

Toby explained the plans to create their own brand which is ethically produced and profits others as well as collecting stock of good conditioned, used sporting clothes, shoes and equipment to sell on or give away. Toby said: “I am pleased that our story has won such support and that others are captivated by our ideas. It is said ‘Find a job that you love and you’ll never work again’, but this is not quite true – find a job you love and you end up working longer hours than ever.”

TDA will help Toby through the next steps of his business journey with support from TDA Business Advisors. As the winning pitcher, Toby will also have free access to the Torbay Work Hubs, which he can work from, hold meetings and continue developing the project.

Rich Adams, Corporate Projects Manager at Plymouth University, said: “I felt all four of the businesses spoke extremely well, with passion and real clarity on the opportunities and challenges they face.

“The level of entrepreneurial activity in Torbay is very high and I know the innovation demonstrated by the businesses pitching at SOUP is a great reflection on many other entrepreneurs in the area. SOUP events are a fantastic opportunity to network whilst supporting new enterprise. GAIN with Plymouth University is delighted to support Torbay in these pop-up investor activities.”