There's no stopping multi-award winning Yorkshire invention
Posted by The Editor
SealStop, the ground-breaking automatic shut-off valve designed to eliminate water waste and save gardeners’ time, has now won a staggering 12 major awards during the past two years.
SealStop, which is sold in six countries across the world, was invented by Yorkshire farmers Jason and Belle Richardson of Pocklington.
Born out of simple frustration – forgotten hoses and flooded yards – Sealstop is now helping households, gardeners, famers, equestrian yards and smallholders make every drop count.
The latest award was unveiled at the Great Yorkshire Show (GYS) this month (July), with SealStop winning the Agri-Tech Start Up Award in the Show’s Innovation Awards 2026.
Dr Dave George, Chair of the Farmer Scientist Network at the Yorkshire Agricultural Society, organisers of the Awards, commented: “The UK Agri-Tech Start-Up Award celebrates emerging businesses bringing new thinking and fresh ideas to agricultural challenges.
“For our winner, the judges loved the simplicity of the design and admired the way it addressed a clear industry challenge through practical innovation. They described the product as being driven by constructive discontent and noted that, fundamentally, this is exactly what innovation should be. Several judges commented that they wished they had thought of the idea themselves."
The GYS Innovation Awards celebrate the ideas, technologies, and forward-thinking businesses shaping the future of agriculture. Each year, the Show proudly recognises outstanding innovations across farming, machinery, agri-tech, and rural sectors. Open to all, applications are welcome from trade stands attending the show as well as businesses beyond it.
Belle Richardson commented: “We were absolutely thrilled to win such a prestigious award at the Great Yorkshire Show. It is an immense privilege to be honoured at one of the very greatest faming shows in the UK.
“We enjoyed a very productive three days at the GYS, meeting customers old and new, and introducing SealStop to the agricultural community. We were so busy and I was lucky enough to have my young son Oscar with me to help.
“No one was safe going past our stand as he talked to everyone and anyone who would give him the time of day. He did so well and underlined our aim of creating a family business. Our children are how heavily involved and are very knowledgeable about all things SealStop.”
Meanwhile Belle and Jason have almost given up counting the number of awards they have won since SealStop was launched two years ago. But, at the latest count, including the GYS award, it was 12.
2024 UK start up customer satisfaction award
2025 York Enterprise Works One to watch
2025 Climb UK busk your business winner
2025 GIMA Seed Corn Fund winner
2025 BETA international sustainable product award
2025 GIMA sustainability champion
2025 GIMA product finalist
2025 Made in Yorkshire winner
2025 SBS winner Theo Paphitis
2025 42 under 42
2026 GYS AGRI TECH start up winner
2026 GYS innovative farming product finalist
Belle continued: “We are determined to add to this list, with Allica Bank Great British Entrepreneur Awards and the Made in the UK national finals coming up. It means so much to be recognised by business leaders, our peers, leading media outlets and the farming and equestrian community. These awards give us the confidence to continue on our great SealStop adventure.”
