Oarsome hand grips

Emily developed her innovative hand grips while studying at the University

Entrepreneur alumna wins business award

Exeter alumna Emily Webb (BA Business and Management 2010) has been named Young Entrepreneur of the Year at the South Wales Business Awards 2012 for her innovative hand grips.

The Oarsome grips have been supplied to a high profile military hospital and TROOP AID, a military charity which uses them on injured soldiers' crutches. The grips have also been used in training by 2012 Paralympic athletes.

She was also up for an award in the 'Innovation in Business' category, and has been shortlisted for the same categories at the 2012 Monmouthshire Business Awards. The winners will be announced 12 October. Emily said, “I am delighted to have been shortlisted in all four categories! It’s a great opportunity to celebrate business and innovation in Wales throughout Great Britain.”

Emily developed her multi-use ergonomic hand grips while studying for her degree, going on to found Oarsome Potential Ltd. While revising for her second year exams, Emily was personally invited to apply for BBC2’s Dragons Den, which aired later that summer. She was the youngest person ever to appear on the show without an aide.

The Oarsome hand grips improve technique while rowing, and help prevent serious hand and wrist damage when used on crutches. They are highly praised and recommended by surgeons and physiotherapists, as well as Concept2 Indoor rowing machine instructors and Disability Sport Wales.

Emily is a Young Enterprise Ambassador and will be available for speaking at schools, universities and business events from November 2012.

For more information please visit the Oarsome website.

Date: 25 September 2012