An Edinburgh start-up that began in a garden shed has won a UK entrepreneurship award and secured £25,000 to support its growth.
Draconite was named Most Promising Small Business at KPMG UK’s Black Entrepreneurs’ Awards, which recognise and support emerging entrepreneurs of Black heritage.
Founded by Dr Alisha Fuller-Armah, the company develops advanced heat-protection materials with potential applications in sectors including aerospace, defence, electric vehicles and construction.
Draconite was one of four winners selected from 12 finalists and more than 140 entrants. Each winner receives £25,000, while all finalists gain access to a 12-month acceleration programme offering business guidance, expertise and industry connections.
The other winners were Surrey-based allergen-free food producer Creative Nature, London sun-care brand BEAME and the Black British Initiative, which supports underserved Black founders.
Now in its seventh year, the awards programme has supported 48 founders of Black heritage and provided around £600,000 in investment since its launch in 2018.
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Dr Alisha Fuller-Armah, founder and inventor at Draconite, said: "Winning KPMG Black Entrepreneur of the Year is a tremendous honour.
"Draconite shatters expectations not just in how we build, but in what can be achieved.
"Thank you to KPMG for recognising a story of determination, radical materials innovation and the potential of sovereign, British-grown technology to transform industries worldwide."
Vishal Chopra, Scotland senior partner at KPMG UK, said: "A huge congratulations to Alisha and the team at Draconite on this well-deserved recognition.
"To take an idea first developed in a shed and turn it into pioneering technology with the potential to transform industries around the world is a remarkable achievement and a fantastic example of Scottish innovation at its best.
"Scotland has a thriving entrepreneurial landscape, with ambitious businesses developing new ideas and technologies that have the possibility to make a real impact on a global scale and Draconite is a great example of just that."
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