External Competitions
Invent a brand and get into advertising – the APG Young Talent Award
The APG Young Talent Award is a nationwide competition for students to design an original brand that will appeal to their peer group. Submissions will have to prove to a panel of the communications industry’s most experienced judges that their brand is based on such genuine market need and consumer insight that it would be a successful brand amongst a 16- to 22-year-old audience. The judging panel will also include a venture capitalist looking to invest and make the best entries a reality. All entrants will, of course, retain intellectual property rights.
Entrants who make the final short-list will be invited to the prestigious APG Awards held in London on 6th October 2011. These Awards showcase the best creative strategic thinking and are a much anticipated event in the calendar of the UK advertising industry. A Gold, Silver and Bronze award will be announced and the short-listed papers published in Campaign’s APG Awards edition. As Campaign is the advertising industry’s leading trade journal, often referred to as the ad industry’s ‘bible’, this exposure will give the shortlisted entrants unparalleled publicity within the advertising world. Shortlisted papers will also be published by the APG and distributed to leading advertisers and marketers in the UK.
All of which might prove handy in getting a job. Or in becoming a multi-millionaire builder of brands.
Entry conditions
(1) Entries should be no more than 1,000 words and have to be submitted by Friday 26th August 2011. All entries should be sent via email as PDF file. Send to steve@apg.org.uk. All entries will be acknowledged.
(2) All entrants must have been in full-time education on 1st January 2011. Please note that the age range of 16 to 22 indicates the target market for the new brand, and it’s not a requirement that an entrant’s age should be within this age range.
BBC Dragons Den
Dragons’ Den are looking for entrepreneurs to take part in their new series. Last time, they received a large number of applications from the student (and graduate) population
After its record breaking series in 2010, Dragons’ Den is open for business once again, giving entrepreneurs from across the country the opportunity to pitch for investment and fulfil their business ambitions.
Last year saw the multi-millionaire investors offer their own money to 17 worthy entrepreneurs. One of the most memorable was Kirsty Henshaw, who, after an emotional encounter in the Den, secured £65,000 from Duncan Bannatyne and Peter Jones to expand her business. With their help, her range of ‘Freedom’ healthy frozen desserts has hit 2000 supermarkets nationwide and sales figures have hit £360,000. She predicts she’ll make £1million in sales in her first year alone…
Dragons’ Den has created some incredible success stories over the last eight series. Brixton based Levi Roots shared his secret recipe, Reggae Reggae Sauce, with the financiers, in return for a £50,000 cash injection. Since the Den, Levi’s created a wide range of products, he says last year he sold six million bottles of his sauce alone and his business is now valued in the millions. But it’s not just about food; Imran Hakim’s I-Teddy, Neil and Laura Westwood’s Magic Whiteboard and Peter Moule’s electrical Chocbox are all businesses that have followed a path to success assisted by Dragon backing!
The rules are simple: entrepreneurs can ask for cash investment in return for equity in their business. However, they must get at least the amount they ask for or they will walk away with nothing. The Dragons want to invest in the very best that British business has to offer. They’re prepared to listen to a pitch for any type of business but they have to believe that it requires investment and will make money before they’ll back it with their own cash.
If you’re genuinely seeking investment for your business idea or invention, we’d like to hear from you. For an application form please send an e-mail to dragonsden@bbc.co.uk or visit www.bbc.co.uk/dragonsden/apply for details on how to apply.
Take One Small Step Competition – Deadline 27th April 2011
Win £50,000 1 to give your business idea a boost
It’s back! The Barclays Take One Small Step Competition is open for business and awaiting your entry. We’re giving a £50,000 1 boost to nine brilliant business ideas across Great Britain, in addition to the free support we offer all companies. There are nine regional prizes and you can enter at any time between now and 27 April.
We understand that the last few years have been challenging for businesses and that this one will be no exception. So we want to help. If like last year’s winners your idea can impress the judges and win over the public, we’ll give you £50,000 to help bring it to life.
Entry is open to residents of Great Britain aged 18 and over at the time of entry, excluding regional winners from the 2010 Take One Small Step Competition. Your business should be based in Great Britain
To get started on your entry, have a look at some of last year’s winners and then browse our guides on making your pitch, filming your video and much more.
Nectar Business Small Business Awards Deadline 30th April 2011
The Nectar Business Small Business Awards 2011 are open to all UK small enterprises and UK social enterprises. The awards are free to enter and celebrate small business success by acknowledging best practice and celebrating great ideas as well as outstanding achievements.
Enter the Nectar Business Small Business Awards and share your success story with us. Not only will you be rewarded for all your hard work to date – the award could help you raise your profile and credibility both locally and within your industry.
The Award categories are:
- Small Business of the Year – a business employing no more than 250 people and more than one year old
- Entrepreneur(s) of the Year – an individual, or individuals, with a new business idea who runs a small business with no more than 250 employees
- Online Business of the Year – an online-based business employing no more than 250 people that is more than one year old
- Start-up Business of the Year – a business employing no more than 250 people and under one year old
- Contribution to the Community Award – a small business or social enterprise whose product or service is sold or supplied with the aim of making a positive contribution to the community it serves
Prizes
The winning small business from each category will not only receive credit and recognition from an esteemed judging panel, but also a prize fund of:
- £2,000 in cash
- 50,000 Nectar points, which can be spent on rewards for your business or treats for you
- Free media publicity
How to enter
Download an entry form and enter today to give your small business the recognition it deserves. The awards are open for entries until 30th April 2011, when successful entries will be shortlisted and notified.
Join us...