South Cambridgeshire District Council’s (SCDC) recently announced the launch of the Business Step Up competition, which is being run again following the success it enjoyed last year. This is in recognition of the important role that businesses play in creating and maintaining the prosperity of South Cambridgeshire.
Business Step Up seeks to encourage local people to explore their creative talents, and come up with new or innovative ideas and initiatives for starting up businesses that will be profitable and viable in the long term.
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The Business Step Up Prize
The Business Step Up competition provides an opportunity to win a business package that is worth up to £30,000, and is supported by the Cambridge News and sponsored by business organisations including Business Link, Ware Anthony Rust, Cambridgeshire Chambers of Commerce, Regus, Taylor Vinters and Streets Chartered Accountants.
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Business Step Up Competition Assessment Factors
Business Step Up competition entries will be judged on factors such as creativity showing new approaches to familiar markets, good planning and research resulting in a robust business plan, market awareness demonstrating an understanding of the chosen market, commitment and determination to succeed, and saleability of the product or service.
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Entries will go through a two stage shortlisting process to produce a list of six finalists. Finalists of the Business Step Up competition will then have the chance of pitching their business ideas to a panel of judges in a “Dragon’s Den” style competition, and the winner will walk away with the prize of £30,000 worth of business support including office accommodation, PR, accounting, legal, Chambers of Commerce membership with business event and networking opportunities.
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Eligibility Criteria for Business Step Up competition
The Step Up competition is open to anyone who is 18 years or older, is a resident in South Cambridgeshire, and must not have been operating a business for more than 12 months. More information is available at www.scambs.gov.uk/stepup.
Anyone interested in applying can obtain basic business start-up information from Business Link at www.businesslink.gov.uk.
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Free Business Step Up Workshops
In addition, and to help applicants with their submissions, Business Link is putting on free workshops, designed to help all entrants formulate their ideas, and give them skills to help them for the competition and beyond.
Three workshops will take place at South Cambridgeshire Hall on 12 July, 27 July and 8 August 2011, and to attend one of these, applicants should register online at www.bookevents.org or by calling 0845 601 1000.
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Business Step Up Competition Closing Date
The competition closes on 31 August 2011 and finalists will be notified on 5 September 2011. The competition event will take place on 15 September 2011.
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Step Up to the challenge and download your Application form and the Guidance notes for the Business Step Up competition.
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Good luck to everyone taking part in the Business Step Up competition.
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