Meet Harrison Nott, 16, whose bedroom towel business now makes £750,000 a year
Harrison Nott, a 16-year-old from Essex, UK, has built a cooling towel business, CoolTowel, generating over £750,000 in revenue this year, leading him to forgo college. His venture gained significant traction after winning an Alibaba.com competition and securing investment from former England footballer Rio Ferdinand. Despite high sales, the company is yet to turn a profit.
Why it matters
This story exemplifies youth entrepreneurship and the potential of e-commerce platforms for rapid business growth, offering an inspiring narrative for aspiring young innovators. It also sparks discussion about alternative educational paths and the value of practical business experience over traditional academic routes.
A 16-year-old entrepreneur from Essex, UK, has chosen not to attend college to focus on his towel business, CoolTowel, which he started in his bedroom in 2023. Harrison Nott's venture has generated more than £750,000 in revenue this year, driven by a surge in demand during Britain's summer heatwaves. His journey received a major boost when he won the Alibaba.com CoCreate Pitch competition, beating 15,000 entrepreneurs worldwide and securing a £150,000 prize. Former England footballer Rio Ferdinand, one of the judges, was impressed by the teenager and later invested in his business. Harrison says CoolTowel has recorded around 80,000 sales through TikTok Shop and Shopify this year, although the company is yet to turn a profit.CoolTowel sells reusable cooling towels that work through evaporation. Users wet the towel, wring it out and snap it to activate the cooling effect.
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