NOMINEES of the Mogul in the Making start-up programme made their mark by winning two awards at Expo Jamaica.

Three nominees — No Brand Chemicals, Solar Buzz Jamaica and Muffetta Enterprises — showed their products at the trade show that attracted thousands of people over four days.

Solar Buzz Jamaica, the energy management firm, won the award for best use of technology in a display. Their energy monitor, that displays the cost of energy being used in real time, was a hit with people at the expo and the judges.

“The expo was a big stretch for us financially since we are still considered a start-up,” said owner Jason Robinson, adding that the interest they got was “priceless” and that was only made better by the award they won. Not only that, they received several orders for the devices that got great feedback from patrons.

“We are preaching the changing of people’s behaviour towards energy savings,” Robinson said, adding “We are using technology to give manufacturers the knowledge to actively monitor energy and make adjustments to conserve.”

Muffetta Enterprises, makers of natural cleaning products and insecticides, won for having the most eco-friendly products.

“Persons have seen us in Mogul in the Making and they came here to look for us,” acknowledged co-owner, Omar Blagrove.

“They saw us in the paper and came to get more information and find out how to contact us.”

Blagrove’s partner, Muffetta Krueger, said they spoke with many overseas buyers at the event, including a company from Australia that has expressed serious interest.

No Brand Chemicals boss Jason Dear said the response he got was “extremely positive” and that people have become more familiar with his line of cost-friendly household products since the initiative.

The Mogul in the Making start-up programme of the Jamaica Observer serves to highlight young businesses that are doing well in their respective industries.