2009 - Daniel Woolman (Binifreshâ„¢)

Daniel Woolman, spotted a burgeoning gap in the market for an automated hygiene product for the nation’s wheelie bins and with household waste on the rise, moves towards fortnightly bin collections and growing unrest across the UK about the state of wheelie bins, his timing could not be more perfect.

Binifresh, for which Woolman spent two years in market research and product development, is unique in its market in that it secures to a wheelie bin and automatically neutralizes and eliminates odours from rubbish, as well as killing bacteria on the surface of the bin, using the purposely formulated Binifresh refills.

The Leeds University graduate has sold more than 10,000 units since starting to trade in autumn 2009 and has distribution deals in place with Lakeland, ASDA and John Lewis as well as their own online sales channel.

Daniel has always had the entrepreneurial spirit, at school Woolman imported sweets from Costco in the USA and sold them to his classmates bringing Big Red Cinnamon Gum to his school playground, years before it was officially launched in the UK.

He had his first product idea while at university and convinced Leeds University chemistry department to help, raising £100k investment capital to get a full time researcher assigned to it. Unfortunately the end result wasn't commercially viable but the experience taught him valuable lessons in R&D, market research and fundraising which have gone on to help make Binifresh the success it is today.