A married couple who launched their first product with just £27 in their bank account and sold it for £72 million seven years later, have been named National Great British Entrepreneur of the Year.

Alan and Juliet Barratt, the husband-and-wife co-founders of active nutrition brand Grenade, were crowned at the NatWest Great British Entrepreneur Awards on Sunday night in London.

Other brands that have won this award in the past include BrewDog and Cambridge Satchel Co.

This follows Mr and Mrs Barratt winning the Midlands regional titles for Great British Entrepreneur of the Year and Scale-Up Entrepreneur of the Year in Birmingham last November.

Their brand Grenade is a range of high-protein, low-carb, low-sugar bars, shakes and spreads.

Based in Solihull, Grenade now employs more than 60 staff, and retails in more than 80 countries around the world. Next Grenade plans to expand its international presence, following the opening of its new offices in Dubai.

Grenade CEO Alan Barratt said: “Since launching Grenade in the midst of the recession, we have had to overcome several significant challenges. The award is the result of years of hard work and dedication, and this award is a vindication of the efforts that the team and Juliet and I have put in.”

The NatWest Great British Entrepreneur Awards involved 3,000 applications and more than 400 shortlisted entrepreneurs. Following the regional competition, 58 winners were selected to represent their regions including Birmingham, Cardiff, Edinburgh, London, Manchester at the national finals.

Francesca James, co-founder of the NatWest Great British Entrepreneur Awards, said: “Alan and Juliet join a fantastic group of entrepreneurs who have been named Great British Entrepreneur of the Year, and they’re thoroughly deserving of the title. They are truly amazing entrepreneurs and have that added unique bond of going through this journey as husband and wife.

“What they have achieved so far is nothing short of remarkable, and I can’t wait to see what Grenade does next.”