‘Local Business Accelerators’ aim to find worthy candidates, from a host of local businesses, to be recognised among the most promising young businesses in the UK to have the opportunity to work with Dragons’ Den Star Deborah Meaden.
‘Local Business Accelerators’ is a fantastic new initiative spearheaded by the The Newspaper Society, the voice of local media, who have pledged £15 Million worth of free advertising for the most dynamic young enterprises.
At thebestof bolton, where searching out great local independent businesses and promoting them locally is central to what we do, we applaud this initiative and believe that entrepreneurs of any age should be given incentives to strive for success.
The Bolton News, is one of nearly 500 local press publications joining forces to support this initiative and it’s Deputy Editor Lynn Ashwell will form part of the judging panel, along with local entrepreneurs and public figures Andrew Dickson and Sikander Badat who will be shortlisting and selecting 3 local businesses between one and three years old to receive free advertising and advice as well as one to go forward to compete for the opportunity to have Deborah Meaden as their mentor for a year.
The campaign is also backed by Prime Minister David Cameron who described it as an ‘excellent initiative’, aimed at giving small businesses across the country real practical support.
Local mentor, Andrew Dickson, who worked for many years in the travel industry, started his own travel agents ‘St Andrews Travel’ at the age of 35 in 1963 and built it up to a £25 Million turnover business with 10 branches and 75 staff, will bring a wealth of experience to the party along with Sikander Badat who recently left Bolton Council after 25 years, as head of ‘Special Projects’ and has worked with many local and national businesses.
Entry to the competition is open to any active Bolton Business between 1 and 3 years old and any business person interested should visit accelerateme.co.uk for details. Entries close on November 14th.
