Cary Marsh, founder of Mydeo, has been awarded the inaugural Iris Award at the NatWest everywoman Awards. The everywoman Iris Award, sponsored by BT Business, is given to a woman whose business growth and success has been greatly improved, through the implementation and use of IT and Communications.
textMarsh developed the idea for Mydeo whilst on maternity leave when she implemented the technology to stream her baby’s video to her family. She secured a grant From the DTI and raised GBP500,000 to launch the business in 2005. Within six months it became the first and only service to be fully integrated into Microsoft’s Window’s Movie Maker software. Mydeo now provides video streaming for over 150,000 individuals, communities and businesses around the world.
Mydeo sold a minority stake to Best Buy, the largest consumer electronics retailer in the US, where it uses Mydeo for its own bespoke video sharing service. It was nominated for Best Streaming Service at both the 2006 & 2007 UK Internet Service Provider awards and was a Red Herring Europe 100 finalist. In addition, Marsh was named a Young Gun’ by Real Business magazine in 2006 and was listed in the 50 most promising business people in The Observer’s Future 500′ list for 2007. Marsh regularly speaks about her passion for science and technology, particularly in relation to encouraging more women into these sectorsand she recognises the importance of enthusiastic role models.
Marsh’s win was announced at a glittering awards ceremony held on 5 December at The Dorchester Hotel in London’s Park Lanewhich was attended by Dame Mary Perkins, Dame Stella Rimington and Elle Macpherson, in addition to leading entrepreneurs and representatives from government. The awardscelebrate inspirational business women, particularly those who have overcome adversities including financial constraints, social disadvantages and lack of skills. The awards play an invaluable role in both recognising success and inspiring other women to venture into the field of business.
Cary Marsh says: “I want Mydeo to be the trusted face of online video – high quality, no adverts, and secure. I believe video will be at the heart of the future of the Internet. We will strive to leverage a simple, clean user experience, a passionate customer service ethic and an excellence in streaming quality.”
Karen Gill, co-founder of everywoman comments: “Since founding these awards five years ago we have met some extraordinary women and heard many inspirational stories. Female entrepreneurs work so hard for their success and for those with families the work doesn’t stop at the end of the business day. This is an opportunity to celebrate real women and their incredible achievements.”
Val Jackson-Risk, Director BT Business Corporate Sales comments: “The importance of networking and communicating well to a successful business cannot be overstressed and Cary Marsh is an inspiring winner of the inaugural Iris Award. Her innovation, creativity and focus on doing what she does best has shown her to be a true role model for other female entrepreneurs and her passion for encouraging more women into the technology sector is infectious.”
