11 Black-owned businesses shortlisted for the Compass scheme

The scheme, which offers a £250,000 prize pot, will provide five winners with national digital Out of Home advertising campaigns worth £50,000 each to help scale their businesses and increase their visibility..

The 11 shortlisted businesses for 2025/2026 campaigns are:

• AMARI AMARI - a fashion brand specializing in contemporary luxury socks

• Blue Turaco Coffee - a specialty coffee company that sources high-quality beans from Uganda

• Chaps – a pioneering soft drinks brand inspired by African heritage

• DIZZIAK – a premium haircare brand with a focus on sustainability and ethical sourcing

• First Rate Tutors - an educational service providing personalized tutoring for students across various levels

• Flake Bake - a London-based bakery specializing in authentic Jamaican patties

• Novice Kitchen – an innovative culinary brand specializing in cooking ingredients

• Revibed Drinks - a beverage company creating drinks that blend natural ingredients for optimal health benefits

• Storia World – a daily journaling app

• Yendy Skin - a skincare brand that combines traditional beauty rituals with modern science

• Yumchop Foods - a food company offering authentic African meals made with fresh, responsibly sourced ingredients

These businesses were selected from close to 200 applications and will now submit short video reels as part of the next phase of the selection process. An independent jury of industry leaders will then choose the five winners, who will receive national campaigns running across Bauer Media Outdoor’s digital Out of Home screens. The judging panel includes:

• Segun Akinwoleola, Founder, The Gym Kitchen

• Cheryl Crilley, Business Director – OOH, Wavemaker

• Khalia Ismain, Black Entrepreneurs Programme Manager, Lloyds Bank

• Shannie Mears, Co-Founder and Head of Talent, The Elephant Room

• Ally Owen, Founder, Brixton Finishing School

• Michelle Sarpong, Commercial Lead, the 7stars

• Curtis Weir, OOH Group Director, Publicis Media

The winners will be announced in July 2025, with campaigns commencing in August.