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Smarta 100

The Smarta 100 will search, find and recognise the 100 ’smartest’ small businesses in the UK.From the West Highlands to Westfield we’ll be searching for the high-street heroes, market traders on a mission, eBay entrepreneurs, budding Bransons and the emerging big businesses of tomorrow.

We want to hear from the most exciting, promising, disruptive new businesses, the family businesses who remain the cornerstones of communities, the innovators ploughing their own furrows in staid or declining industries, the recession-busters making a mockery of the doom and gloom, the web wonders, the teenpreneurs, mumpreneurs, olderpreneuers and, er, just about anyone who’s running a small business worth shouting about. (more…)


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Winners Announced in the 2009 Morgan Foundation Entrepreneur Awards

The winners of the 2009 Morgan Foundation Entrepreneur Awards were announced on 19th November in a gala awards ceremony at Carden Park Hotel, Chester. The winners and runners up in the six categories won a total of £100k plus a package of valuable professional services, including free banking advice from the main sponsor Barclays Commercial Bank.

Now in their third year, the Awards are designed to encourage a whole new generation of entrepreneurial role models and were open to charities, social enterprises, businesses and entrepreneurs from Merseyside, Cheshire, Shropshire, North Wales and the Wolverhampton area. (more…)


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2009 Home Business Awards are open for entry!

At Enterprise Nation we love this time of year and we particularly enjoy making this announcement! Now in their third year, the Home Business Awards are the biggest and the best when it comes to recognising the amazing businesses being started and grown from home. And this year, we’ve added yet another category.
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Finalists announced in the 2009 Morgan Foundation Entrepreneur Awards

The finalists have been announced in this year’s Morgan Foundation Entrepreneur Awards. In total, there are 29 finalists across six different categories. They are now in the running to win one16 cash prizes, totalling £100,000, as well as a package of professional services. The eventual winners and runners-up will be revealed on the 19th November at the 2009 Morgan Foundation Entrepreneur Awards Ceremony and Gala Dinner to be held at the Carden Park Hotel, near Chester.

(more…)


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The Morgan Foundation Entrepreneur Awards 2009

The Morgan Foundation Entrepreneur Awards are the largest awards of their type in the North West, North Wales, Shropshire and Wolverhampton area - to encourage entrepreneurial thinking whether in new businesses, young entrepreneurs, social enterprises or charities. Over and above the £100,000 of cash prizes, the winners and runners up also receive valuable professional services from the sponsors and supporters of the Awards.

Link to website: http://www.mf-awards.co.uk/

The Morgan Foundation Entrepreneur Awards recognise: 

 - trailblazing businesses

 - entrepreneurs with vision and drive who are based in North Wales, Merseyside, West Cheshire, Shropshire and the Wolverhampton area

 - young entrepreneurs

 - entrepreneurial individuals working in social enterprise and charities

 - entrepreneurial social enterprises and charities

 - businesses and individulas who have achieved ‘against all odds’

  (more…)


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RTS Entrepreneur Awards

The RTS Entrepreneur Awards celebrate the outstanding achievements of the disabled entrepreneurs that have participated in this project. 

To enter, please download an application form clicking here: rts-entrepreneurs-awards-final

Closing date is 24th August 2009.


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Pitch your firm - £15,000 in prizes!

Small-business owners with innovative ideas and the potential to grow their firm are being given the chance to compete for three £5,000 cash prizes, following the launch of the 2009 O2 X awards.
Applicants can enter one of three categories - Entrepreneur of the Year, Female Entrepreneur of the Year and Young Entrepreneur of the Year (for under 25-year-olds).

 

To enter, businesses must employ a maximum of 50 staff, and be able to demonstrate financial viability, a potential to expand and a strong brand identity. Judges will be also looking for strong leadership, vision and a desire to push business boundaries in individual sectors.

  (more…)


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Home business pioneers compete for £50,000 prize fund

Businesses that employ home or remote workers, including homebased businesses, are being invited to compete for prizes worth more than £50,000, by entering the first ever Remote Worker Awards. 

 

Run in association with BT, the awards are designed to celebrate the benefits of home working to both businesses and employees.

 

Award categories include the BT Home Business Award, open to a home-based business established for six months or more. Applicants are required to demonstrate how home working has had a positive impact on their business and home life. The winning firm will receive £1,000 worth of BT business service products.

(more…)


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Last chance to enter 2009 Barclays Trading Places Awards

LAST CHANCE TO ENTER BUSINESS HERO AWARDS

 

There is just over a week left for business heroes to enter the 2009 Barclays Trading Places Awards – a national award celebrating men and women who are turning their lives around by choosing to start up a business.

 

The Government backed Barclays Trading Places Awards recognise business heroes who are no strangers to overcoming adversity – whether it’s dealing with illness or disability, facing challenging family responsibilities head-on, or turning their back on benefits.

 

Last year’s winners, cider makers Toloja Orchards, invested their prize money back into their business and have seen their turnover treble since winning the award.

 

Founder Kevin Sweet set up the apple orchard with his wife Nikki in 2005 after being made redundant several times and overcoming heart surgery. Their award-winning cider is now sold in over 60 outlets.

 

Barclays Marketing Director for Local Business, John Davis, said: “Trading Places is a celebration of inspiring people who have struggled through adversity to get their businesses up and running – and that’s even more relevant in today’s turbulent times.

 

“We know it’s tough out there at the moment but we want to tell entrepreneurs they don’t have to make the journey alone. We are committed to doing everything we can to help, and the fact is we’re supporting more businesses, and with greater lending commitments, than ever before.”  

The awards are open to everyone who has been trading for a minimum of three months and a maximum of three years, with an annual turnover of less than £1 million and a story to tell.

 

This year’s national finalists will be competing in three new categories – Triumph over Disability, Success after Unemployment and the Spirit of Inspiration Award – before hoping to be named the 2009 Barclays Trading Places Winner.

                                                                                                           

Each category winner will also walk away with £5,000 for their business, courtesy of Barclays, and all national finalists will receive £2,000 worth of computer software from awards supporter Microsoft.

 

Another new addition for 2009 will see the awards partners coming together to offer everyone who enters a range of business support and mentoring packages.

 

Helping to launch Trading Places Lord Mandelson, Secretary of State for Business, said: “An enterprising culture can create jobs and transform communities – all of which is vital during these uncertain economic times.

 

“Through initiatives such as Barclays Trading Places Awards we can honour the next wave of entrepreneurs who have overcome personal barriers, driven change and made their ideas a reality.”

 

Other award partners are Jobcentre Plus, youth charity The Prince’s Trust, Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (BERR), the NFEA and Leonard Cheshire Disability.

 

Entries for the Barclays Trading Places Awards, now in their fifth year, must be in by 22nd May. Nomination leaflets are available by calling 0800 085 3203 or visiting www.barclays.co.uk/tradingplaces.


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HSBC Start Up Stars award

The ninth annual HSBC Start-Up Stars awards are open to start-up businesses all over the UK.

There are benefits for every entrant and winners will receive a share of the prize fund, free Google advertising and invaluable publicity.

It’s your chance to get the credit and support you deserve:

  • £55,000 prize fund
  • £11,000 of Google advertising to be won, as well as free consultancy at Google’s UK headquarters
  • Invaluable exposure via regional and national media through reaching the final stages
  • Free £75 of Google advertising for every entrant
  • Support programme and networking available for every entrant on HSBC’s Business Network

For more information visit their website at http://www.startupstars.hsbc.co.uk/


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