Marietta, from West Raynham, is among this year's Young Innovator Award winners
A West Raynham woman is among this year’s East of England Young Innovator Award winners.
Marietta Hickman, 24, is one of six winners from the region who have started the New Year with a boost after winning a coveted award for their new business projects, announced by the Innovate UK agency.
From an affordable braille device which helps people who are visually impaired learn other languages to an app that provides new amputees with services and a community as they embark on their recovery journey, the innovators promise to make the world a better place.
The Young Innovators competition received almost 700 applicants this year nationally, and the East of England winners will take a share of the £1.25million prize fund. They join a cohort of 94 young people aged 18 to 30 with business ideas that could change the world and will benefit from a £5,000 grant, one-on-one business coaching and an allowance to cover living costs.
Marietta Hickman, 24, from West Raynham, has created Cheeky Nibble, a fun, on-the-go, granola snack inspired by nostalgic British desserts such as Arctic Rolls and rice pudding. Cheeky Nibble is one of the only granolas on the market that is vegan, gluten-free and nut-free, and is supporting patient recovery from eating disorders.
The Young Innovators Awards recognise young people with great business ideas who have the potential to become successful entrepreneurs and future leaders in innovation. In addition to the awards, Innovate UK delivers workshops and briefing events to provide practical business advice to a network of over 12,500 young people across the UK.