The Spark Vale competition has come to a dramatic close last week, as seven finalists went head to head in a pitching showdown to win over the Vale’s very own dragons.

A home diagnostic product for obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA), described by Spark judges as having ‘explosive potential,’ won Best New Business Idea for Megan Morys.

Untreated OSA combined with expensive and time consuming diagnostic capabilities costs the NHS millions of pounds each year with 1.5 million adult sufferers in the UK who stop breathing whilst asleep. It is also considered a risk factor for stroke, heart disease and diabetes.

Best Business Growth Idea was won by Babybird Blankets, founded by 31 year-old mother of two, Rachel Bird from Grove, who creates bespoke handmade and manufactured blankets.

Megan Mory, co-founder of SmartCare and former head of innovation for Harwell Oxford, said: “We are delighted to have won the Spark Vale award for best new business idea. The judges clearly saw the huge market potential of our technology and have given us this great opportunity to accelerate the business.

“The support offered throughout the competition has been superb and we’re looking forward to working with the partners in 2015 as well as raising the £150,000 investment required to launch the business.”

SmartCare and Babybird Blankets are now granted access to a prize pot worth over £60,000, including free office space from Harwell Innovation Centre and a host of support services provided from respected local businesses.

Rachel Bird, founder of Babybird Blankets, said: “I’m really overwhelmed. This is going to be amazing for my business and a lot easier to grow from here. My passion is designing and making the blankets. I don’t know a lot about marketing or PR so the competition prize will really benefit me. I’d like to thank Spark Vale for this opportunity.”

Finalists pitched to Spark Vale judges including Matthew Barber, Leader of Vale of White Horse District Council.

He said: “We are proud to host a range of well known businesses in the Vale of White Horse but we mustn’t loose sight of our goal to support new enterprises. Events such as this are extremely important to help encourage new businesses and to reduce unemployment. I highly commend all Spark Vale finalists and am confident in their ability to go on to become established businesses.”

Other Spark Vale judges included: Stuart Miller, CEO, ByBox; James Dipple, CEO, MEPC; Lisa Robey, Director of Business Banking, NatWest; Martin Dare-Edwards, Project & Start-up Director, Infineum; and Jackie Magure, CEO, Collar IP.

The Grand Finale took place at Infineum’s office at Milton Hill Technology & Business Park where winners were also presented with a prestigious trophy, designed and made by students from Abingdon & Witney College.

The prize pot of over £60,000 includes free office space at Harwell Innovation worth of business support services has been donated by respected businesses from the Vale, including specialist start-up accountancy firm, Inca, Artisan Intelligent Print Solutions, Coller IP, NatWest, Focus Oxford LLP, Bluestream Recruitment, Vale4Business, ByBox, Sharp Ahead, Oxford Innovation and Kelly Lea PR.

Spark Vale is a Vale4Business and ByBox funded business initiative, managed by Oxford Innovation.

Spark Vale Best Business Idea Competition

• Winner – Megan Morys of SmartCare, has a home-based sleep apnoea idea that could help patients with multiple long-term conditions
• Runner-up – Shazmin Ali Sivewright of Nut Butter Punch, an alternative to a limited milk drinks market
• Runner-up – Chris Evett of Simplexity Analysis which delivers strategic insight reports highlighting long term risks and opportunities to businesses
• Runner-up – Ben Heaney of Delta Violin Ltd, has a product idea that could improve focus and concentration for adults and children

Spark Vale Best Business Growth Idea Competition

• Winner – Rachel Bird of Babybird Blankets, designs, makes and sells blankets for babies, toddlers and older children
• Runner-up – Mike Terry of Viva Totz, an Abingdon based football training and education company
• Runner-up – Nikhilesh Haval of Nikreactions, has an idea that will increase footfall in towns to help independent businesses