Business graduate secures £70,000 award for sustainable food company
Queen Margaret University (QMU) graduate and businesswoman, Lauren Leisk, has been awarded a staggering £70,000 for her innovative sustainable food company.
Queen Margaret University (QMU) graduate and businesswoman, Lauren Leisk, has been awarded a staggering £70,000 for her innovative sustainable food company.
The financial award was made possible by Scottish EDGE, a national competition aimed at identifying and supporting Scotland’s up-and-coming, innovative, high-growth potential entrepreneurial talent. Lauren joined a number of Scottish entrepreneurs and businesses at the Scottish EDGE Awards, held on Thursday 13 June, taking a share of an incredible prize money pot of £1.2m.
The 24-year-old from Livingston, who graduated from QMU’s BA (Hons) Business Management in 2016, spotted a gap in the market for premium, healthy ‘free from’ convenience foods suitable for people coping with various digestive disorders. With personal experience of Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) and armed with first-hand knowledge of the effect the condition can have on a person’s day-to-day life, Lauren was empowered to establish Fodilicious - the UK’s first ‘Free From’ food range, suitable for the low FODMAP diet*.
This most recent success comes hot on the heels of a hugely momentous year for Lauren. Last year she was awarded The Scottish Women’s Award Young Entrepreneur of the Year, was named as a Royal Society of Edinburgh Unlocking Ambition Enterprise Fellow, and was runner up in the national finals of the Santander Universities Entrepreneurship awards.
Lauren said: “Participating in the Scottish EDGE competition was an amazing experience. Thank you so much to Scottish EDGE for all of their support. This funding will enable to scale up Fodilicious and help those who suffer from IBS, digestive disorders and food intolerances to benefit from our innovative products.
"I’m so grateful for the support that QMU have given me throughout my entrepreneurial journey!"
Miriam Smith, Business Development Manager at QMU, said: “I couldn't be happier for Lauren. Her success at this year’s Scottish EDGE Awards is a testament to the hard work and dedication she puts in to Fodilicious, and she couldn’t be more deserving of this prize. It’s been a pleasure and privilege to support her.”
*FODMAP stands for Fermentable, Oligo- saccharides, Di-saccharides, Mono- saccharides, and Polyols. These are found in a wide range of foods that are difficult to digest and should be avoided for those who suffer from IBS.
Notes to Editor
For further media enquiries, please contact Karen Keith (Media Relations and Content Officer) at Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh, E: kkeith@qmu.ac.uk, T: 0131 474 0000.
