Meet Gef’s 30 Under 30 2024 Entrepreneurship Category Partners

We spoke with the team at Startup Grind Isle of Man about their partnership with Gef’s 30 Under 30 2024 Entrepreneurship Category.

What made you want to get involved with Gef’s 30 Under 30?

Startup Grind Isle of Man partnered with Gef’s 30 Under 30 initiative to recognise and celebrate the exceptional young talent and inspirational individuals on the Isle of Man. This partnership aligns perfectly with our core values and mission.

Recognising Young Talent and Inspirational Individuals: At Startup Grind Isle of Man, we believe in the power of talent to drive innovation and create a positive impact within the community. Gef’s 30 Under 30 provides a platform to spotlight these rising stars, celebrating their achievements and inspiring others to follow in their footsteps.

What company values do you have that align with Gef’s 30 Under 30 campaign?

Celebrating Young Talent: Just as Gef’s 30 Under 30 recognises young visionaries, at Startup Grind we also celebrate and support young entrepreneurs and leaders, emphasising the importance of nurturing the next generation of innovators, through shared experiences and education.

Community Building: Our commitment to the Startup Grind values of making friends, giving first, and helping others before ourselves mirrors the campaign’s goal of fostering a supportive and dynamic local talent ecosystem. We believe in the strength of community, and as part of our global community of entrepreneurs we are able to connect local talent to a global ecosystem.

Global Citizenship and Local Impact: With a global presence and a focus on local impact, our values resonate with Gef’s mission to inspire and drive local success while contributing to a broader, positive impact.

Our Origins and Ethos: Founded in 2010 to tackle the challenges of launching a company, Startup Grind grew from local gatherings into a global movement, demonstrating that collaborative support and shared knowledge are vital for entrepreneurial success. Our vibrant communities across cities like Los Angeles, Tel Aviv, London, New York, and Beijing showcase our belief that collective efforts drive startups toward success, aligning perfectly with the celebratory and community-focused nature of Gef’s 30 Under 30 campaign.

Why is the category you chose to partner with important to your company?

Partnering with the entrepreneurship category aligns with Startup Grind’s core mission to support and inspire entrepreneurs globally. This category is a perfect fit for us and we recognise Gef’s 30 under 30 campaign’s commitment to:

Foster Innovation: Entrepreneurs drive innovation and economic growth, which is essential for our island community and encourages a vibrant startup ecosystem.
Supporting Emerging Leaders: Recognising young entrepreneurs aligns with our commitment to nurturing the next generation of leaders and visionaries.
Community Building: It reinforces our belief in the strength of community, helping to connect and support local talent, which is fundamental to our global ethos.

Startup Grind was founded to overcome the challenges of launching a company through shared advice and inspiration, and this sponsorship reflects our dedication to empowering entrepreneurs.

What is your company doing to support young people on the island?

At Startup Grind Isle of Man, we provide opportunities to support the growth and success of young entrepreneurs and leaders through various initiatives:

Events: Our regular events offer young people the chance to network, share ideas, collaborate with peers and learn from experienced and esteemed industry entrepreneurs and leaders.

Startup Showcases and education opportunities: Through Startup Grind, entrepreneurs and young founders have the opportunity to learn and connect with our wider network. Startup Grind’s global community which spans 125+ countries regularly host virtual workshops, seminars and fireside chats to educate and inspire attendees across the globe.

Our Startup Grind Membership has over 7000 companies. This is a global community of startups that gives members free access to networking, events, office hours, and other exclusive opportunities such as mentor and investor introductions, curated by Startup Grind.

What did you think of Gef’s 30 Under 30 Winner’s Party?

Two of our Startup Grind Isle of Man team members were able to attend the Gef 30 Under 30 Winner’s Party hosted at St. Matthew’s Church in Douglas and we had an amazing time. We were greeted at the door by sparkling (quite literally) performance artists and led down the fairy lit walkway that opened into the party itself.

There, the crowd filled with supporters of family, friends, and colleagues was aflutter with excitement to celebrate the accomplishments of each of the winners. The enthusiasm was contagious as everyone mingled over delicious drinks and munchies.

While we specifically supported the Entrepreneurship category, we were honoured to help celebrate the accomplishments of each category winner; all of them are awe-inspiring and make a positive impact on the Isle of Man community as a whole.

It was a fun night and we were happy to be a part of this amazing event!

What stood out to you most about the winners in your category?

We were struck by the diversity of industries represented by the winners in the Entrepreneurship category. In today’s world, the word “entrepreneur” often brings to mind the tech sector; however service industry sectors comprise a significant portion of entrepreneurs on the Isle of Man. In this case, the winners represent Hospitality, Personal Care Services, and Professional Services with each of them bringing something unique to their respective areas.

Sam Levi of Smoky Sam’s BBQ (Hospitality) offers world inspired BBQ sauces and smoked meats that are locally sourced and produced on the Isle of Man and collaborates with other independent businesses including their current home base of Foraging Vintners in Port Erin.

Caitlin Trenholme of Blend (Personal Care Services) has created a blissful oasis in Douglas for clients seeking top quality hairstyles from an award-winning stylist; she was recently chosen to be part of the renowned Schwarzkopf Young Artist Team in London prior to setting up her own salon.

Joseph Ricciardi of Ricciari Media (Professional Services) pivoted from being an automotive engineer in London to return to the Isle of Man to pursue his passion of photography and videography. An ex-professional triathlete, his work showcases athletes worldwide in addition to his working with local athletes, charities, and budding entrepreneurs.