The BIG Business Boost competition has launched two new awards for 2016 to celebrate entrepreneurs with a disability. The competition’s aim is to find and enable Essex’s exciting small businesses with entrants being given the chance to win up to £2,000 in prize money, support and training.
This year the Essex Innovation Programme and Essex County Council’s Employment and Skills Unit have teamed up to deliver the ‘Disability Entrepreneur Award’ and a ‘Personal Triumph Award’ to celebrate the diversity of entrepreneurship flourishing in Essex.
Supporting success in challenging circumstances
In 2015, the BIG Business Boost attracted more than 200 entries, and delivered tens of thousands of pounds of business support, training and cash prizes to small businesses across Essex.
This year the competition is hoping to receive even more entrants with the two new disability awards. These awards are for business owners who can inspire others to believe that they too can achieve in business even in challenging circumstances. The winners will take home a cash boost of £2,000 each plus a free business support package.
“These brand new awards are an exciting addition to the BIG Business Boost. People with disabilities can show that Essex means business by coming forward with their innovative, entrepreneurial ideas. There is plenty of advice and guidance on offer to take great business ideas to the next level.”
Cllr Kevin Bentley, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Economic Growth & Partnerships, Essex County Council
How to enter the Disability Awards
The Disability Entrepreneur Award - celebrates entrepreneurs with a great, viable and sustainable business idea who have the ability to succeed in business whilst overcoming barriers
- The Personal Triumph Award - a nomination only award to recognise Essex business people who have overcome personal challenges to successfully run a business
Click here http://www.essexbusinessboost.co.uk/enter-here/ to enter the Disability Entrepreneur Award or nominate an inspiring business person for the Personal Triumph Award. The competition is open for entries until midnight 31st July 2016.
About the BIG Business Boost competition
The BIG Business Boost competition aims to identify the county’s most exciting business ideas and concepts. This year the competition’s new format has five categories and celebrates the diversity of entrepreneurship across Essex…
- The Young Entrepreneur Award – for business owners aged from 16 to 30 years of age
- The Women in Business Award – for the county’s most innovative female-led businesses
- The Disability Entrepreneur Award (pre-start) – for Essex-based individuals with a disability with a commercially sustainable business idea/plan
- The Personal Triumph Award – a nomination-only award celebrating businesses and business people in Essex with a disability who have triumphed in the face of adversity
- The BIG Business Boost Award - open to any Essex-based business with 15 employees or less
The BIG Business Boost is free to enter online with only a 300 word entry required. The deadline for entries closes at midnight 31 July 2016. For more information on how to enter the BIG Business Boost visit www.essexbusinessboost.co.uk.
About the Essex Innovation Programme
The Essex Innovation Programme works with established companies and start-up businesses to help them to develop, and take to market, innovative products and services.
Find out more about the Essex Innovation Programme here.
See here for more information on the BIG Business Boost.
