The current generation of budding entrepreneurial stars are being reminding there are just 10 days left to enter the acclaimed Shell LiveWire Young Entrepreneur of the Awards for 2004.
The awards are now in their 22nd year and recognise the UK’s best young business startups with prizes worth over £200,000. Eligible entrepreneurs need to be aged 16 to 30 and have been trading for between three and eighteen months by the closing date: 31st January.
Entrants are asked to submit their business plans for consideration by the judges and then compete in local heats, with the winners progressing to the regional finals. Regional winners then compete for the overall UK title.
With the closing date fast approaching, John Devitt, UK director of Shell LiveWIRE, urged the UK’s leading young entrepreneurs to get their applications off now and not miss out on the enormous benefits that the awards can bring to the winners.
“Enterprise culture continues to go from strength to strength in the UK, as shown by the year-on-year growth in the number of calls to the Shell LiveWIRE service,” said Devitt. “The impact of the businesses entering the awards is significant. Since 1995 we have seen nearly 850 businesses, turning over some £61 million and employing over 650,000 people competing at regional level for a place in the final.”
Last year’s winner, Michael Welch, founder of online national tyre retailer Black Circles, saw an immediate increase in business after being awarded the accolade.
“In the month immediately after winning the Shell LiveWIRE award we saw business grow by some 30 per cent. The award gave the business a level of credibility not previously experienced and provided Black Circles with a springboard from which to expand,” said Michael. “I would urge other young entrepreneurs to enter the awards and seize the opportunities they provide.”
