Ben Triumphs in Global Start-up Challenge

If we can, you can member Ben Creighton of Queensberry 12 recently took part in the Global Start-up Challenge, the brainchild of Alibaba.com, the world's largest online business to business trade platform connecting buyes and suppliers nationwide.

Ben reached the finals of the competition and competed with six other entrepreneurs to win £10,000 by public vote, having been given an initial £1000 to launch their start up business.

Ben's company Queensberry 12 is a contemporary boxing brand featuring the world's only panoramic, digitally printed punch bags. The range divides into three unique collections: Martial Artworks featuring stunning canvas-inspired punch bags printed with vibrant wraparound photographic art, Butcher's Bag featuring an exclusive Design Right Registered 'Rocky'-inspired punch bag designed to look like a real carcass of meat, and Exercise Your Demons featuring a unique, shocking, quirky or kitsch punch bags to help you 'beat' your fears, phobias and cravings.

Here, Ben recounts his experience of the Global Start Up Challenge:

"To say that the last 6 months have been a rollercoaster would be something of an understatement! Queensberry 12 was launched in November at the start of Global Entrepreneurship Week where we sold our first bag to Lord Mervyn Davies CBE, Minister for Trade and Investment and where Peter Jones first wore our gloves. Then a whirlwind of press coverage, interviews and radio appearances followed and, finally, it was time to find out who had won the £10,000 grant.

After months of hard work, we're proud to announce that Queensberry 12 was crowned the winner of the Global Start-up Challenge on the 8th February during an exclusive lunch with the 7 finalists and Peter Jones, star of Dragon's Den.

It's been an amazing experience and we couldn't have done it without your help, so thankyou to all who voted!"

Videos of Ben's experience in the Challenge can be found at www.ifwecanyoucan.tv/members/member_channels/ben_creighton

Check out the Queensberry 12 collection at www.queensberry12.com/