FLEDGLING entrepreneurs have emerged victorious in a £100,000 competition to find Essex’s answer to Alan Sugar or Bill Gates.

A panel of four judges could not pick a single winner for the highly successful Who Wants to be a Miller on Air? competition, spearheaded by businessman Philip Miller.

Instead, two projects from the Southend area and one from Chelmsford were chosen. The winners will now develop their business and start production on their projects.

More than 160 entries from across Essex were whittled down to nine finalists, who battled it out in a Dragon’s Den-style presentation to business entrepreneur Philip Miller and his panel of experts.

BOWLED OVER BY KARL'S INVENTION

Karl Dorn, 43, is a plasterer, of Leighfields Road, Eastwood. His inventions included devices to save power and a wristband to predict a woman’s time of the month.

However, it was his cereal bowl invention which scooped him the prize.

He said: “I was absolutely over the moon when I heard I’d won, it’s a terrific feeling when somebody recognises the worth of what you’re saying.

“We need people like Philip Miller to give ideas like this the backing it needs and get the wheels turning.”

The bowl is, in effect, two in one. The inside bowl can be lifted out, separating cereal from the milk, to keep it crispy. An initial price of £5.99 has been set.

Mr Miller said: “What we would like to do next is to conduct some market research to find out if soggy bits in cereal are really a problem for the public by running a survey on air and online with Southend and Chelmsford Radio.

“If this survey receives a positive response, I am prepared to back the production of a prototype for the Up and Down Bowl.”

SIBLINGS ON THE CYCLE ROUTE

A brother and sister duo whose idea for a bike hire service for Southend seafront, using the new cycle routes, impressed the judges.

The idea was inspired by their holidays in Cornwall.

Sam, 17, and Poppy Strike, 14, of Sandringham Road, Southend, will be working with a business adviser to craft a business plan.

Poppy said: “I am so excited about it all.

“Originally Sam and I just thought we would go into the competition to see how it went. I think a lot of people will benefit from this because it is always packed in Cornwall.

“After a few months of being around, it could bring in lots more tourists to the town.

Mr Miller said: “Sam and Poppy have a superb idea that I think everybody in Southend can appreciate would be a huge benefit to us as the UK’s warmest and driest tourism destination.

“It has been an incredibly tough decision, but I am delighted with my three winners and look forward to working with them in the future.”