New business wins £20K local business prize

This week, live on Express FM, Shaping Portsmouth announced Sporty Origins as the winners of the 2026 Big Business Giveaway.

The idea of this giveaway is simple – as a business community we know we are stronger together and we also know that starting a business is tough. So, through the Shaping Portsmouth network and in partnership with Citrus Facilities Management we decided to come together and offer our combined expertise to one lucky new business to help support them right at the start of their journey.

Our winner, Sporty Origins was founded by Lily Beard and Millie Chauhan after they met through climbing at the University of Portsmouth. While spending time at climbing centres and around sports clubs, they noticed how much sports equipment was being thrown away including ropes, sails, kit, and clothing that still had life left in it. Their shared passion for sustainability, fashion, and sport led them to create Sporty Origins, where they up-cycle waste from sport to create new, innovative products.

Lilly and Milly believe in giving used sports gear a second life. By repurposing high-quality second-hand materials, they reduce waste and create products that play on and not pile up. They are not just making products but keeping sport equipment in motion and out of landfill.

On winning this year’s prize Millie and Lily said, "We are so grateful for the support of so many local businesses and cannot wait to get started in making Sporty Origins a community that we need to discuss the circular product economy." 

Dan O’Brien Managing Director of Citrus FM said, “We’re incredibly proud to see Sporty Origins win the Big Business Giveaway. It’s a fantastic recognition of the vision, ambition and hard work behind their brand. We’re excited to continue supporting their journey and look forward to seeing them grow from strength to strength in the months ahead. Particularly the community sports day.”

Sporty Origins have won a support package from local businesses worth in excess of £20,000 and is made up of the following support:

·       HR audit and support from Frank HR

·       A branded uniform package from Im-press printing

·       Headshots or product shots from Penny Plimmer 

·       Hiring advice from  SLR recruitment 

·       Marketing video made by  Millstream productions

·       6 months Business mentoring from  Paul Sims 

·       Corporate branding package from Hampshire flags 

·       6 months booking keeping from  Azets

·       Business Legal advice from  Biscoes solicitors

·       Brand design & support from Creative Clique

·       Free printing credits for business cards and leaflets from Citrus

·       1 page website from  We are Jungle

·       6 months of membership in the known-for community

·       A laptop, a Printer and IT support from  Citrus IT  for a year

·       A years free membership with Shaping Portsmouth 

·       Feature spot in The News  business section

·       Guest spot on Express FM radio

·       3 months gym and workspace from The Village hotel

·       A board room and hospitality package from Royal Maritime Hotel

·       +£1000 in cash from Citrus

Dave Humphries, CEO of Shaping Portsmouth said, “The Portsmouth business community pulls together and supports the city in a way that just doesn’t happen elsewhere, and this prize is a great example of that. It will make such an enormous difference to Sporty Origins' business journey.”

A shortlist of 29 entries was judged by a panel on which Daniel O’Brien and Dave Humphries were joined by Alison Lee of Biscoes Solicitors, Rod Sessions of Hampshire Flag Company and Joseph Gamlin from Portsmouth City Council’s Economic Development team. The judging panel felt that Sporty Origins had a unique idea, championed sustainability, gave back to the community and had strong potential for success.