The 13th annual Startups Awards are now open for entries
Innovative, disruptive and ambitious new businesses across the UK once again have the opportunity to receive the recognition they deserve as this year’s prestigious Startups Awards opens for entries. Start-ups of all sizes and industries can make their case for why they are amongst Britain’s most exciting business prospects, before being scrutinised by an expert judging panel including Cath Kidston MBE, Emma Sinclair MBE, Nick Wheeler and the co-founders of Innocent Drinks, LOVEFiLM and Secret Escapes, who will select the eventual winners.
Now in its 13th year, the Startups Awards are the longest established awards of their kind and have built a reputation for recognising and celebrating the rising stars of British business. Previous winners include Notonthehighstreet.com, Ella’s Kitchen, The Cambridge Satchel Company and Purplebricks, who have all gone on to enjoy huge success, becoming recognised household brand names.
A shortlist of entrants will be announced on 10th October, before the awards are presented to eventual winners on Thursday 17th November at a lively dinner at Royal Garden Hotel, London. The award ceremony offers a fun opportunity to network with like-minded entrepreneurs and inspirational judges, as Innocent Drinks co-founder Jon Wright says: “I’m looking forward to helping some great new businesses get the recognition they deserve, but also meeting the founders who are set to make the future even better.”
Supported by headline sponsor Sage, the Startups Awards are open to all independently owned businesses in the UK that started after 1st August 2012. This year’s awards offer opportunities for every type of business, including 15 different categories:
· Sage Startups Business of the Year
· App of the Year
· Crowdfunded Business of the Year
· Export Business of the Year
· Franchisee of the Year
· Innovative Business of the Year
· Lean Start-up of the Year
· Product Business of the Year
· Retail Business of the Year
· Service Business of the Year
· Tech Business of the Year
· Venture Funded Business of the Year
· Women in Business Award
· Young Entrepreneur of the Year
The 15th and final category is the People’s Champion Award where a shortlist of 50 start-ups are selected by the judging panel and then put to the public vote.
Other sponsors of the awards include Start Up Loans, Simply Business, haysmacintyre and 123-reg. Speaking of their involvement as headline sponsor, Evan O’Shea of Sage said:
“We believe entrepreneurs are the true heroes of the UK economy, and supporting them is our passion. That is why we are excited to announce our partnership with the Startups Awards, an event that recognises the hard work and achievements of entrepreneurs in the UK. As the UK’s biggest accounting software company and arguably one of Britain’s greatest start-up success stories, we think it’s a perfect match.”
The Startups Awards 2016 are open for entries from now until Friday 16th September. For more information or to enter the awards, go to www.startupsawards.co.uk