RUNCORN company The Protein Works has been shortlisted for the New Business of the Year Award for the 2014 National Business Awards, completing what has been an amazing first year for the online sports nutrition brand.

Founded in late 2012, this firm has gained national recognition as one of the most innovative sports nutrition brands in Europe.

After generating more than £2.25 million revenue in only their first year of trading it is projected to more than double this by 2014 to £6.5m.

Competing against the growing investment experts The House Crowd and dairy manufacturer The Collective, The Protein Works will compete for the prestigious award, with the winner being revealed at the National Business Awards gala dinner held on 11 November at Park Lane’s Grosvenor House Hotel in London.

Emma Jones, CEO Enterprise Nation and judge for the New Business of the Year Award said: “The Protein Works has achieved incredibly rapid growth having introduced 1,000 products, has a social reach of over two million and are now calling itself the UK's second largest online sports nutrition brand.”

Co-founder Mark Coxhead said: “Just to be nominated for such a prestigious award in only our first year of life is a credit to all the hard work and commitment of the entire team. We have a very talented team that live, sleep, eat and breathe TPWTM brand values and principles.”