About
As founder of Zip Us In and inventor of the Jacket expander panel, Kate Bell was the winner of last year’s Innovator of the Year Award at #VFS19.
Kate designed a product that could be used to provide the much-needed extra space in her jacket to accommodate her growing belly. What began as an item to resolve a problem for Kate, very quickly become something much more. Every time Kate used the item, she would be stopped and asked where she’d brought it from. This incredibly simple item appeared to have demand and so Zip Us In was born.
Jumping forward to 2019 and Kate’s simple product has been granted a patent and is now available across Europe, USA and Canada as well as selling through Go Outdoors stores in the UK. Kate has been featured in the national press and has gained 8 industry awards and of course one of the titles she is most proud of is the 2019 Venturefest South Innovator of the year.