Saints announce Positive Impact Pledge winners

The Positive Impact Pledge was launched in November, as part of the club’s Corporate Responsibility initiative, to create positive impact by encouraging entrepreneurialism and innovation.

Southampton received a large number of applications from small start-ups and entrepreneurs across the UK that share the club’s vision of innovation and doing things differently.

Applicants were taken through two rounds of shortlisting before five finalists were invited to St Mary’s to pitch to senior figures at Southampton Football Club, with Sibstar selected as the initial winner.

Main Club Partner Sportsbet.io, a sportsbook of the Coingaming Group, played an integral role in the Positive Impact Pledge by taking part in the virtual shortlisting event and allowing the club to award a joint winner, Labl.it, by matching the £20,000 grant that was initially offered by the club.

Southampton Football Club’s Chief Commercial Officer, David Thomas, commented: “We’re excited to see both Sibstar and Labl.it progress with the help of the Positive Impact Pledge, having been impressed by the potential both new challenger brands have shown.

“As a club, we’re keen to promote innovation and use our platform to help power the growth of Sibstar and Labl.it, two exciting businesses that have the potential to make a positive change.”

Tim Heath, founder of the Coingaming Group, added: “With so many forward-thinking entrepreneurs applying to Southampton’s Positive Impact Pledge, these two start-ups made it difficult to pick a single winner.

“We’re delighted to make an additional contribution to the prize pool that enables not one, but two of these exciting young businesses to turn their vision into reality. I look forward to supporting and mentoring Labl.it, a Southampton-based team using entrepreneurship to build a brighter future.”

SIBSTAR

Sibstar aim to provide the 885,000 people living with dementia in the UK with financial independence through their secure pre-paid debit card and app. Offering a financial service that is specifically designed to meet the needs of people living with dementia and their carers will, not only help these individuals, but also help to re-educate society, improve tolerance and respect for those living with dementia.

Sibstar’s founder, Jayne Sibley, said: “We were delighted to win Southampton Football Club’s Positive Impact Pledge. The club’s commitment to Sibstar and belief in what we aim to achieve is a real vote of confidence.

“Having the backing of such a high-profile club is going to make all difference and we’re really looking forward to working together”

LABL.IT

Labl.it is a commercial kitchen management software designed to simplify and automate the food preparation process for the hospitality sector. With no standardised software currently in use within the industry to maintain accurate records and ensure appropriate safety standards are maintained, Labl.it’s technology will reduce the time it takes to produce food labels and prep lists by up to 75% each day.

Labl.it’s Chief Technical Officer, Sean Larsen, said: “We are absolutely thrilled to be announced as a winner of the Southampton Football Club Positive Impact Pledge.

“Not only are we extremely grateful for the prize funding, but equally the chance to work in collaboration with the club and its partners. We are really looking forward to our product launch and seeing the Labl.it device helping in commercial kitchens across Southampton and beyond."

The club will provide further updates on the progress of both companies as they progress and would like to thank all of the applicants and finalists who took the time to take part in the Positive Impact Pledge.

Find out more about Southampton Football Club’s Corporate Responsibility, part of the club’s sustainability strategy, The Halo Effect, here.