A BUDDING entrepreneur from Maldon hopes to jump into the world of business with his self-designed ‘Paws and Go Mat’.

Harry Cotgrove, 21, who grew up in Heybridge Basin, is currently studying Business Management at the University of Dundee, and recently started up a Kickstarter campaign for his mat that encourages dogs to wipe their muddy paws when coming into the house.

The non-slip, machine washable mat contains a hidden flap to which a dog treat can be placed under. The dog then sniffs the treat, scratches away at the mat until they fish out the treat, cleaning their paws in the process.

Harry claims he came up with the idea when chasing his terrier around the house getting mud everywhere.

He said: “I had a eureka moment. I like solving problems and have always been an ‘idea person’.

“I realised there had to be a better way to clean Skipper’s feet and made my first prototype.”

Harry’s Kickstarter campaign aims to raise funding to mass manufacture the mat in a single and double door size, in brown and graphite colours, with the intention of selling on his website and also to retailers.

Harry said: “Having a successful campaign will be a great platform for Paws and Go.

“Tangible figures of how many mats we have sold around the world within the month period will demonstrate the sizeable demand for the product and hopefully convince retailers to stock our mats.”

Harry lived in Heybridge Basin for 14 years, racing in the Blackwater Sailiing Club since the age of seven, attending Westcliff High School for Boys in Southend-on-Sea.

In 2012, the Standard reported that Harry’s Young Enterprise team had been awarded the Most Enterprising Team in the South East.

After graduating this summer, Harry is hoping to undertake a full paid internship abroad provided by the Saltire Foundation - a prestigious foundation that selects 150 Scottish students and provides them with a fully paid for internship around the world.

Harry eventually hopes to move to London, and has applied to the New Entrepreneurs Foundation.

His Kickstarter campaign lasts until the end of April. To find out more about Paws and Go or to back him, visit: www.kickstarter.com/projects/380881961/paws-and-go

To view Paws and Go’s advert, visit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BuPiCtnLuqk