FreshNetworks wins £5 million funding in Entrepreneur Challenge

Sept. 22, 2008 - PRLog -- FreshNetworks, the London-based digital marketing agency who build and manage online communities for brands, have won an injection of funding of up to £5m. Part of the FreshMinds group, they were named as the winner of the London regional final of the Bank of Scotland Corporate Entrepreneur Challenge. Announced at an award ceremony at the Imperial War Museum in London last night, the FreshNetworks team fought off stiff competition from other finalists Justgiving, Gü Puds, Country House Weddings and Quintessentially. The prize is an investment package of up to £5 million, free of interest and charges.

Co-founder and CEO Charlie Osmond and Helen Trim, COO of FreshNetworks, presented their vision for the future to a prestigious judging panel including Nick Wheeler, the founder and managing director of Charles Tyrwhitt Shirts, and M&C Saatchi partner Bill Muirhead.

The FreshMinds and FreshNetworks team impressed the panel with the company’s impressive growth since it was founded in 2000, and their innovative yet pragmatic approach to working with clients. The judges were struck by the company’s vision and flair and by the creativity and impressive plans for FreshNetworks.

The funding will be invested in FreshNetworks, an innovative digital marketing agency that builds and manages online communities to promote insight and advocacy for brands. This new business has been growing rapidly ever since it was established in 2007 and now works with a range of clients across the media, telecommunications, retail and leisure industries. The market for online communities is developing quickly across Europe and the investment will be used to accelerate FreshNetworks’ growth to meet this demand.

Panel member Wheeler said "It was a great shortlist and a difficult decision because all five were very good businesses, yet really different. We were looking for a true entrepreneur - and the entrepreneurial skills of FreshMinds made the difference in the end."

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FreshNetworks builds, manages and moderates online communities for brands. These help organisations build sustainable relationships with their customers. Find out more about them, work with customers to innovate and build word of mouth or advocacy.