Douglas resident Vanessa Simpson, along with friends from Liverpool John Moores University, has won the UK final of the Young Enterprise Start Up Awards.
They beat more than 350 other companies to win the Awards, which sees university teams start a business from scratch.
Vanessa, aged 20, who is studying business and public relations, and her friends identified a gap in the hot beverages market for easily accessible and premium quality loose-leaf tea.
The Teabox Company has been trading since December, and is primarily an online shop. It stocks six restaurants in the North West, with plans to expand further.
The final saw teams submit a business plan and an investment proposal, design a trade stand and attend a Dragon’s Den style interview.
Vanessa, who is head of PR, said: ‘The national final was an incredible adventure. We have all really benefited from the invaluable experience of setting up our own business, but this recognition is a wonderful bonus.’
They will now compete in the European finals in Belgium in July.