Finalist place for Sponge boss in Venus Awards

Plymouth-based businesswoman, Louise Pasterfield, who has created one of the UK’s most successful custom made elearning companies in just 10 years, is a finalist in the Devon Venus Awards.

Louise started Sponge in 2004 with a staff of two. The business, which has its headquarters at Plymouth Science Park, now has a workforce of 37 with annual sales expected to reach more than £2 million this year.

Sponge creates bespoke online learning solutions for major organisations such as GSK, Toyota, Tesco and the United Nations and operates across the UK, Europe and the US.

Louise is a finalist in the category of New Media & Online Business in the 2014 Devon Venus Awards, which are aimed at recognising the achievement of local businesswomen.

Originally from Pennsylvania, Louise has been based in the South West of England for over 25 years and has a foundation degree from the Falmouth School of Art, an undergraduate degree in Fine Art from Skidmore College, New York and a Masters Degree from the University of Exeter.

More than 1,400 nominations were received for this year’s Devon Venus Awards.

The winners are due to be announced at a ceremony at the University of Exeter on Friday, November 21.