The government 'Business is GREAT' campaign has created a festive calendar, featuring 24 diverse and innovative small businesses from across the country, including eCow, which produces the multi-award winning ‘farmBolus’, a new electronic device that monitors pH and temperature levels in a cow’s stomach. The business features behind door number 15.

Government funding encouraged eCow to invest in the development of its new technology.

Professor Toby Mottram, founder of eCow, said, "Since we started the business in 2007, we have received £290,000 of grant funding from Smart Scotland and SMART (from Innovate UK) to further the development of the boluses, the software and the handset, to complete the product development."

"We’re very proud of the business we have built and grown, and to celebrate our successes by being part of the Business is GREAT advent calendar is fantastic. Here we join 23 other businesses across the country highlighting the organisations and people doing great things for small businesses, and the government support that has made some of it possible."

All 24 businesses involved in the calendar have received government support or used its services, from help with exporting to new markets and tax relief for innovation, to hiring apprentices to grow their teams. They are backing the advent calendar to let other businesses know about the advice and support available to them.

December is an important time for small businesses. According to the latest statistics released by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), in the run up to Christmas, online sales are 40% higher than an average month. Online spending in December is up 200% since 2007 and has been rising by around £100 million year on year. The calendar has been created to celebrate small businesses and highlight their diversity and innovation during this key period for sales.

Matthew Hancock, the Business and Enterprise Minister whose department backs the Business is GREAT project, said, "There are a record number of small businesses in the UK – over five million in total – and the Business is GREAT campaign is doing a fantastic job of spreading the word about the advice and support out there for small firms who want to grow and create jobs. They fully deserve to be celebrated. We want Britain to be the best place in the world to start and grow, and eCow is a shining example of why we’re backing small businesses every step of the way."