Last chance to secure your place at the GIMA Awards 2026!
The countdown is officially on, and just a handful of tickets remain for this year's
SealStop – the clever automatic shut-off valve for hosepipes – has been announced as the winner of this year’s prestigious GIMA Innovators Seed Corn Fund.
The team behind SealStop were officially handed the award earlier this morning (Tuesday 16th September) during the opening day of Glee 2025.
Born out of a simple frustration – forgotten hoses and flooded yards – SealStop is now helping households, gardeners, and smallholders across the UK make every drop count. The clever device connects to a standard hosepipe using a quick-connect fitting. Simply place the hose into a trough, barrel or container and walk away. SealStop shuts off the flow at the right moment, preventing overflows and wasted water. With no need for timers, electronics or constant supervision, it’s a simple, reusable, British-made solution for smart water use.
Founder Isabelle Richardson said: “We’re absolutely delighted to have won the GIMA Innovators’ Seed Corn Fund, it’s a wonderful acknowledgement of why I created SealStop in the first place. I was tired of wasting water whenever life got in the way, so I developed a solution that gives people time back and encourages smarter water use, especially during dry spells when conservation is vital.
“This support will make a real difference, helping us grow faster, reach more people, and share the benefits of SealStop with the gardening community.”
Originally launched in the equestrian market, SealStop is now finding fans in gardens across the UK. Proudly manufactured just 45 minutes from York, it’s also the first in a growing range, with rainwater harvesting tools currently in development.
Vicky Nuttall, GIMA Director, commented: “It was a tough judging day as all the shortlisted entries had great merit and real commercial potential. It took us all day to decide on our eventual winner. SealStop stood out as a product that not only solves a problem that haunts gardeners and smallholders but also brings genuine environmental benefits. We are excited to support Isabelle and her team as they bring this innovation to a wider market.”
As the tenth recipient of the GIMA Innovators Seed Corn Fund, SealStop will receive an extensive prize package designed to help fast-track its growth. This includes free exhibition space at Glee, the UK’s leading garden retail trade show, alongside up to £4,000 of tailored support covering design, development, consultancy, manufacturing or marketing. The prize also offers a free half-page advert in the GIMA New Product Digest publication, twelve months of free GIMA membership, one year’s ACID (Anti Copying in Design) membership, and ongoing PR support.
The runners up for 2025 were Rootup Limited and SmartyPlants AI – both highly commended for their forward-thinking approaches to gardening innovation. SmartyPlants is a discreet sensor that tracks your plant’s vital stats, translating them into simple care tips via a user-friendly app. With real-time alerts, it’s like your plant texting you when it needs attention. Rootup Limited develops innovative solutions for hydroponic growers and plant enthusiasts, combining practical engineering with sustainable design to improve efficiency, plant health, and yields.
Vicky Nuttall, Director of GIMA, said, “It was a tough judging day as all the shortlisted entries had great merit and real commercial potential. It took us all day to decide on our eventual winner. SealStop stood out as a product that not only solves a problem that haunts gardeners and smallholders but also brings genuine environmental benefits.”
GIMA is a membership organisation of around 170 companies representing the majority share of suppliers and manufacturers operating within the UK gardening industry, together with an estimated £4billion in annual trade.
