Dubs Universe has been named as the Manufacturing & Engineering Start-Up of the Year at the 2024 South East StartUp Awards.
The Awards were established to highlight the success of start-up businesses across 10 UK nations and regions, and to celebrate the achievements of entrepreneurs in all sectors of the economy.
As a regional winner in its category, Dubs Universe will now progress to the UK StartUp Awards final being held at Ideas Fest on 12 September, dubbed “the Glastonbury for Entrepreneurs”!
Dubs Universe – based in Orpington in Kent – is a sustainable footwear brand making ultra-comfortable kids trainers from planet-friendly materials. It has meticulously designed its shoes from the ground up – dedicated to crafting shoes that fit perfectly, with plenty of wiggle room for growing feet.
Sustainability is also very important to Dubs and this extends beyond production. The company promotes a circular economy by giving its customers a unique option to resell outgrown shoes; Dubs has also teamed up with Sal’s Shoes, a charity that redistributes pre-loved shoes to kids in need. This helps to prolong the lifespan of the trainers and ultimately keeps them out of landfill.
Stuart Davis, Co-Founder of Dubs, said: “This achievement is a testament to the hard work, dedication and innovation of our incredible team. Winning this prestigious award wouldn’t have been possible without the support of our amazing customers, partners and supporters. We are incredibly excited about what the future holds for Dubs and we will continue pushing the boundaries of innovation and sustainability in the manufacturing and engineering sector.”
Nearly 90,000 new businesses were created in the South East of England in 2023, and according to Professor Dylan Jones-Evans OBE, creator of the StartUp Awards, this demonstrates the growing importance of entrepreneurs to the regional economy. He said he is also excited that the Awards are, yet again, recognising the best new firms between Oxford, Southampton and Kent, and everywhere in between, and celebrating the amazing entrepreneurial talent from every corner of the region.
Mr Jones-Evans said: “Start-ups are the life of any economy and that is especially true in the South East where new businesses are contributing to job creation, innovation, and prosperity across the whole of this entrepreneurial region. It’s been an honour and a pleasure to read the stories of those Founders who have spotted the opportunity and taken the risk to launch their own venture.
“I’m looking forward to having the ‘best of the best’ from the region competing at the UK final later this year.”
