smallbusiness.co.uk: Helping your business think big

HSBC has launched the seventh Start-Up Stars Awards, beginning a national search for the UK’s most promising start-up businesses and the inspirational entrepreneurs behind them.

The awards are open to any fledgling firm less than three years old that can prove it has the determination, dedication, creativity and business acumen for success.

This year also sees the introduction of a special Green Award for the start-up company doing the most to put the environment at the top of its business agenda.

Other incentives include cash and prizes worth a record £100,000 plus five regional heats that will now generate 50 regional winners.

Judges aren’t looking for the biggest or fastest growing company, but entrepreneurs will need to prove their businesses have that something special to take away the top prize of £25,000.

The Start-Up Stars Awards will culminate in a glittering black-tie event at London’s Dorchester Hotel on 24 October, where the winner will be announced before an audience of 300 guests drawn from the worlds of business, politics and the media. A cheque for £7,000 will be presented to the runner-up whilst the business scooping the new Green Award will receive £5,000.

Entry forms are available from HSBC branches, online at www.hsbc.co.uk/startupstars or by contacting the Start-Up Stars office on 0870 902 3333.

Closing date for entries is Friday 13 April.

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