Gordon Reid, Toby McCartney and Nick Burnett, of Waterbeck and Eaglesfield respectively, were this week revealed as finalists in the Virgin Voom Impact Award.
Their new roads firm, MacRebur, has beaten 3000 other companies to make the last three in the competition category.
The trio’s idea for a patented new roads surface incorporating waste plastics impressed the judges, who described it as “an exciting innovation with the potential to help solve a global environmental problem”.
And judge Anna Jones, entrepreneurship director for Virgin Unite, added: “We all thought this was an exciting innovation with the potential to help solve a global environmental problem and consumers benefit with a better product, everyone hates potholes!”
MacRebur is up against a paint firm and a creative enterprise, with the eventual winner getting an all-expenses paid trip of a lifetime to the Carribean to take part in next year’s Virgin Unite’s Leadership Gathering, as well as business support from Virgin.
Reacting, Toby said: “This is awesome. To be chosen as a finalist in the Impact award is the best thing that could happen for us.”
The winner will be announced at a live finale in London on June 28.
