Entries open for annual Startups Awards

The 11th annual Startups Awards have launched and are now open for businesses across the South West to submit their entries.

Sponsored by Simply Business and organised by Startups.co.uk, the number one website for start-ups and small businesses, the awards recognise the success of Britain’s newest businesses which have been trading for three years or less.

Previous winners of the Awards have included some of the UK’s fastest rising brands, such as BeatThatQuote.com (sold to Google for £37.7m), The Cambridge Satchel Company, Raspberry Pi, Ella’s Kitchen, Naked Wines, Notonthehighstreet.com, YPlan, Joe & Seph’s Gourmet Popcorn and Secret Escapes.

Reflecting on winning Mumpreneur Business of the Year 2013 Caroline Sparks, Co-Founder of Turtle Tots, said: “We were thrilled to be selected from such a large number of entrants and by the prestigious panel of judges. Whenever we meet with suppliers, most comment on our award. It adds credibility to our brand and sets us apart from our competition.”

There are fifteen awards up for grabs this year, with categories including Innovative Business of the Year, Service Business of the Year and Young Entrepreneur of the Year, alongside two new awards for 2014: Independent Shop of the Year and Restaurant of the Year. The main prize is the much coveted title of Simply Business Startups Business of the Year, the winner of which is selected from the winners of the other categories.

Additionally, the People’s Champion award will go to one of 50 companies that make the long list of outstanding entrants before the finalists are announced and will be voted for by readers of Startups.co.uk.

David Lester, founder of Startups.co.uk, said: “Eight years ago, Paul Lindley was starting children’s food business Ella’s Kitchen in his kids’ playroom. In the company’s first year it won the Micro Business of the Year title at the Startups Awards. Last year, Paul sold his multi-million turnover business to a billion-dollar revenue US giant.

“This month, Paul was part of the United Nations Global Accelerator summit, where a select group of entrepreneurs met to discuss solutions to global issues.

“Very few new business owners will even dream of achieving half of that. But if you want evidence that the Startups Awards spots real winners before the world knows about them, this is it. We can’t wait to start seeing the entries from businesses that will be market leaders, great employers, and innovators admired throughout the UK and beyond in years to come.”

The Startups Awards’ headline sponsor, Simply Business, returns for a second year. Head of Marketing & Communications at Simply Business, Jasper Martens, commented: “From the next-generation marketing platforms to innovative swimming class franchises and flexible working solutions, the products and services entered to the Startups Awards each year give us enormous pride in our sponsorship, and enthusiasm for the years to come.

“There is simply no better celebration of business achievement in the UK right now than these awards and we’re more proud than ever to be a part of it.”

Joining Simply Business are sponsors haysmacintyre (Venture Funded Business of The Year), The Made Simple Group (Young Entrepreneur of the Year), Big Red Cloud (Service Business of the Year) and Nominet (Tech Business of the Year).

Judges from Startups.co.uk and those representing key sponsors, will be joined by a high-profile and experienced group of entrepreneurs, former winners, investors and business journalists.

To enter visit www.startupsawards.co.uk.

The deadline for submissions is 12 September 2014.

The Awards ceremony will take place on the Thursday 27 November 2014 at the Kensington Roof Gardens, London. Finalists, judges, journalists and sponsors will be attending this prestigious event.