uStartup Business Awards
The uStartup Business Awards 2011 is searching for the next ‘top dog’ in business and allow new entrepreneurs to not only celebrate their own success but also act as a springboard to help them continue to grow their businesses.
Frustrated by the lack of business awards tailored specifically for startup companies, Managing Director of uBrands, Richard Laverick, has decided to run the unique competition for North East businesses that have been trading for less than 12 months.
The award scheme includes four categories:
- Business
- Technology
- Communication
- Social Enterprise
Mr Laverick, who previously entered a new business award was frustrated that such competitions are normally open to co,mpanies that have been trading up to three years and decided to establish something just for businesses in their first year of trading, to capture the success of the 'new born' entrepreneur.
He said, “The first 12 months of business can be very daunting so it is important we support and celebrate what new entrepreneurs are doing. New businesses are the lifeblood of the economy, supporting them over this crucial stage is important to their survival as they grow and have a bigger impact on the UK economy - increasing future prosperity and job creation.
“We are looking for companies that are special, we know there are a lot of talented and creative entrepreneurs throughout the region - we want to find the next top dogs that will take the business world by storm.”
Mr Laverick has created and run internet-based businesses since launching his first enterprise 13 years ago. His umbrella business, uBrands, is an online affiliate marketing network, which has partnerships with more than 600 companies throughout the world.
The uStartup Awards 2011 has already received widespread endorsements from local authorities and organisations, including support from Sunderland City Council. Councilor Bryan Charlton, who oversees business issues as part the Prosperous City portfolio on Sunderland City Council's decision-making Cabinet, has welcomed the new awards.
He said, "There's a growing entrepreneurial spirit across our region. In Sunderland for example in the last couple of years a record number of new businesses have been created. "Only a year ago Sunderland was first in the Royal Mail's Business Barometer survey for new start-ups and with these awards we can give more businesses, more recognition for their dynamism, and their get up and go."
Bdaily business network NE and Spark FM, are joint media partners, and category sponsors include Kashflow, NESEP and Haines Watts Accountants.
The application deadline is Friday 17 June. Three entrants from each category will be short-listed by judges. They will then be invited to a pitch event at the Stadium of Light, Sunderland on Thursday 30 June. The short-listed candidates are expected to give a short pitch in front of the judges. The winner from each category will be announced at a black-tie award evening at the Stadium of Light on Thursday 21 July.
Application forms for the top dog awards are at www.ustartup.co.uk, or email awards@ustartup.co.uk to request an electronic application pack. You can also request a postal entry by calling 0191 5045165 or emailing your full address to awards@ustartup.co.uk – adding uStartup Postal Application into the subject of your email. Full terms and conditions along with the entry criteria can be found on the website.