University of Portsmouth students win £20,000 business support package

Two University of Portsmouth students have been awarded over £20,000 worth of business support after winning the 2026 Big Business Giveaway, announced live on Express FM last week.  

The winning business, Sporty Origins, was founded by University of Portsmouth students Lily Beard and Millie Chauhan after the pair met through climbing while studying at the University of Portsmouth. 

Lily and Millie launched Sporty Origins after noticing how much sports equipment was being thrown away at climbing centres and sports clubs. Their shared interests in sustainability, fashion and sport inspired them to create a business that up-cycles waste materials such as ropes, sails, kit and clothing into new products. 

The students believe in giving used sports gear a second life. By repurposing high-quality second-hand materials, they reduce waste and create products that play on and not pile up. They are not just making products but keeping sport equipment in motion and out of landfill. 

Lily is currently studying BSc (Hons) Product Design and Innovation, which included a four-month software development bootcamp, while Millie is studying BA (Hons) Fashion Marketing. Both are due to graduate in 2027. 

Their academic experience played a key role in shaping the business idea. Lily’s product design and innovation studies helped develop the technical and problem-solving skills needed to transform discarded sports materials into new products, while Millie’s fashion marketing degree supported the brand’s identity, storytelling and audience engagement. 

Millie and Lily said: “We are so grateful for the support of so many local businesses and cannot wait to get started in making Sporty Origins a community that we need to discuss the circular product economy.” 

The Big Business Giveaway was an initiative launched by Daniel O’Brien, Managing Director of Citrus Facilities Management and Degree Apprentice of the Faculty of Law at the University - and now delivered in partnership with Shaping Portsmouth. 

It was designed to help turn a small business into a huge success. It began last year when Daniel decided to donate the £1,218 remainder of his marketing budget, to a local startup he believed had the potential to grow into a major success with the right support. 

Following the success of the first giveaway, Daniel wanted to make this year’s initiative even bigger and better. He partnered with Dave Humphries, CEO of Shaping Portsmouth, who is also studying on the same Degree Apprenticeship programme at the University. Together, alongside a network of local business supporters, they created the 2026 Big Business Giveaway. 

Daniel O’Brien, Managing Director of Citrus Facilities Management, said: “We’re incredibly proud to see Sporty Origins win the Big Business Giveaway. It’s a fantastic recognition of the vision, ambition and hard work behind their brand. We’re excited to continue supporting their journey and look forward to seeing them grow from strength to strength in the months ahead, particularly the community sports day.” 

Dave Humphries, CEO of Shaping Portsmouth, added: “The Portsmouth business community pulls together and supports the city in a way that just doesn’t happen elsewhere, and this prize is a great example of that. It will make such an enormous difference to Sporty Origins’ business journey.” 

Sporty Origins has received a business support package made up of services from local organisations, including HR, legal and recruitment advice, brand development, mentoring, IT support, photography, video production, bookkeeping, website development and marketing support, alongside £1,000 in cash funding. 

The judging panel selected Sporty Origins from a shortlist of 29 entries, praising the business for its unique idea, commitment to sustainability, community impact and strong potential for future growth. 

The award highlights how university study, hands-on experience and collaboration within the local business community can combine to help students turn ideas into real-world ventures. 

As they continue their studies, Lily and Millie will now begin the next stage of growing Sporty Origins with the support of Portsmouth’s business community behind them.