The Essex Innovation Programme (EIP) has launched a new business competition aimed at identifying and supporting Essex’s most promising entrepreneurs and micro businesses.
The BIG Business Boost, which is open to online entries from 1 June to 3 July will see tens of thousands of pounds of business support and training and £5,000 in cash prizes go to small businesses in Essex.
Encouraging entrepreneurs across the county
The initiative aims to find raw business potential, creative ideas and innovative concepts and will be delivered by business enterprise agencies across Essex.
The Essex Innovation Programme has funded the competition which builds on the programme’s ethos to help entrepreneurs and small businesses develop and take to market, their innovative products and services.
The initiative aims to find raw business potential, creative ideas and innovative concepts and will be delivered by business enterprise agencies across Essex.
The Essex Innovation Programme has funded the competition which builds on the programme’s ethos to help entrepreneurs and small businesses develop and take to market, their innovative products and services.
“The competition is all about finding and enabling the huge potential from small businesses in Essex. Therefore, we are looking for entrants who can excite the judges with innovative ideas and potential for growth, rather than just those businesses currently operating with the highest turnover.”
Helen Quinnell, Enterprise Project Officer at the Essex Innovation Programme
What the winners will receive
The competition will see the winning business receiving a prize worth £4,300, including a £3,000 cash prize, and the top 100 entrants receiving a business support package worth more than £500.
“This is an incredibly exciting prospect giving any entrepreneur or small business in Essex the opportunity to access a fantastic range of prizes designed to take them to the next level. It’s a simple online entry and every business will go away with something.”
Bob Baggalley, Chief Executive of Colchester Business Enterprise Agency (Colbea)
How to enter
Essex entrepreneurs can enter in one of three categories, depending on the size and age of their business, with the competition open to business from pre-starts with an exciting idea, to micro-businesses employing up to five people.
The Essex BIG Business Boost is free to enter online, with only a 300-word entry required, with the deadline for entries closing 3 July 2015. For more information and to enter the Essex BIG Business Boost visit www.essexbusinessboost.co.uk.
Find out more on the Essex Innovation Programme here.
