Local Gen Z start-up shortlisted as best new business finalist

Tuesday 02 April 2024

A local marketing agency that connects businesses with younger audiences has been recognised as a top contender for a regional award celebrating new start-ups.

VIDA was founded by 25-year-old Emma Wildbore-Hands last year.

She describes her company as a "Gen Z marketing and management agency".

Gen Z refers to Generation Z, which is the demographic cohort with mid-to-late 1990s as starting birth years and the early 2010s as ending birth years, succeeding Millennials.

VIDA therefore creates campaigns for brands to help target younger audiences through the power of social media.

The company has now been shortlisted for the Marketing, Advertising & PR StartUp of the Year Award in the South East category of the UK StartUp Awards.

The cohort of finalists will be considered for the regional prizes by a panel later this year, with winners advancing to the UK National StartUp Awards final.

Miss Wildbore-Hands said: "It's been an incredible journey since I founded VIDA just over a year ago.

"To see how far we've come, working with both local and international brands and now being shortlisted finalist for a regional start-up award on a national level, is truly amazing to me.

"The recognition from the UK Startup Awards means the world to me and my team.

"It's a validation of the hard work and dedication we've poured into building VIDA into a nationally-recognised Gen Z marketing and management agency."

She added: "Our focus on Gen Z marketing and particularly on TikTok, has really set us apart.

"While it's a newer concept for Jersey, it's great that VIDA has been able to gain traction in the UK and build client relationships there too."

Professor Dylan Jones-Evans OBE, the creator of the UK StartUp Awards, said: "Start-up businesses are the lifeblood of any economy, being responsible for new jobs, innovation and wealth creation across the UK.

"All the finalists this year represent the best of those entrepreneurs who have spotted an opportunity and through their sheer hard work, talent and perseverance, have created amazing new businesses that are creating real impact in their sectors.

"Building on the success of previous years, we are now looking to identify the 'best of the best' with all the finalists who win their category in their region going on to represent their region at the first ever UK National StartUp Awards final later this year."