Dan Robson, founder of Green Digit Gardening and inventor of an innovative seed germination system, has won The Duke of York Young Entrepreneur Award.

Dan set up Green Digit in 2014 while studying design for industry at Northumbria University. After a work placement in a plastics packaging business, he realised that he could help to reduce waste by making packaging part of the product.

He developed SeedCell - a seed germination system made with recycled packaging. The packaging is used to directly push seeds into the soil. It is fully biodegradable and retains water, which ensures that the germinating seed receives sufficient moisture but cannot be over-watered.

The system has already earned him a grant through GIMA’s Seed Corn Award for new garden industry businesses.

Northumbria University's student and graduate enterprise scheme provided Dan with business start-up advice, office space within the Northern Design Centre and mentoring that has provided access to investment capital.

SeedCell is already sold in Homebase and B&Q with plans for distribution in Europe, the USA and the Middle East.

The Duke of York, who presented Dan with his award at the University of Huddersfield, accepted some samples, which he said he would pass on to the Prince of Wales.

Dan said: “We are really excited about how much has happened over the last six months. We have had a fantastic response to the product and are working on a new product that will allow you to grow herbs indoors all year round. The Duke of York himself seemed very taken with the product and went home with three SeedCells in his bag, adding he would pass them on to the Prince of Wales. Maybe one day we can have SeedCell by Royal appointment!"

The 100-plus graduate companies supported by Northumbria University since 2009 today employ around 950 staff and have a combined turnover of £62.2 million. Most are based in the north-east but are trading nationally and internationally.