Award season for small businesses in Herts - there's still time to enter!
The annual FSB Hertfordshire Business Awards closing date for applications is drawing near - 22ndApril, but there's still time to enter your business!
If you are running a Hertfordshire business with less than 250 employees, then check out the wide range of categories available to enter atwww.hertfordshireawards.co.uk.
Held by the Federation of Small Businesses, the award ceremony recognises and rewards local businesses and business people that have accomplished great achievements.
A key category in these awards is, ‘Business Innovation', sponsored by local business support organisation,Hertfordshire Growth Hub, based in Welwyn Garden City - a free and impartial support service for established Hertfordshire SMEs with real growth potential.
Dr Abrar Jawaid, Innovation & Technology Specialist, from Hertfordshire Growth Hub said:
"We are delighted to be supporting this year's FSB Hertfordshire Business Awards as sponsors of the Business Innovation category. Innovation is an incredibly effective way to grow your business and we are delighted to be sponsoring this category."
Sponsoring the ‘Best New Business Award' this year isTheBusiness & Technology Centre (btc),based in Stevenage - a business centre that provides an enterprising community with on-site business support.
Kate Munro, Head of Marketing at the btc stated:
"We are very proud to be sponsoring The FSB Hertfordshire Business Awards for the third year in a row. As a business centre that actively supports and encourages new businesses to start-up and grow, we are especially pleased to be sponsoring the 'Best New Business' category."
Other categories include ‘Entrepreneur of the Year', ‘Creative Business of the Year' and ‘Networking Group of the Year'. There is also an overall winner prize which is£3000's worth of advertisingin the Hertfordshire Mercury and Herts and Essex Observer newspapers!
The FSB commented:
"We would encourage anyone that is thinking of entering to just do it! It is a great way of creating local PR foryour business. If you are a winner, runner-up or even short-listed for an award, it is something to shout about to your customers. It gives you credibility and may help you to secure new business."
Visitwww.hertfordshireawards.co.ukfor a full list of award categories, criteria and details on how to enter.
Closing date for ALL entries is 22nd April 2016!
For more information about how Hertfordshire Growth Hub is supporting established businesses in Hertfordshire:
To find out how The Business & Technology Centre (btc) supports businesses:
To find out how the Hertfordshire Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) is helping to drive forward sustainable economic growth:
http://www.hertfordshirelep.com/
To find out how the University can support your business:www.herts.ac.uk/businessservices
-ENDS-
Notes for Editors:
Hertfordshire Growth Hub
Hertfordshire Growth Hub was launched in March 2015, as a partnership between the Hertfordshire Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP), Exemplas and the University of Hertfordshire.
The Growth Hub offers free of charge, one-to-one support from experts specialising in skills and HR, finance, innovation and technology, and sales and marketing. Based on a thorough evaluation of your business ambitions, the specialist advisers will tailor an appropriate support package.
They run a calendar of events created around the specialist advice areas. The interactive events feature guest presenters and industry experts to allow SMEs in the county free access to real world advice and insights.
It also has a Marketplace - a free online directory to help you source high quality business services locally.
For general media enquiries, please contact:
Stella Wilkinson - Marketing Executive - Hertfordshire Growth Hub
Tel: 01707 398159, Email:stellaw@exemplas.com, Address: BioPark, Broadwater Road, Welwyn Garden City, AL7 3AX
Business & Technology Centre
The Business & Technology Centre (btc) is owned by Stevenage Borough Council and managed by Wenta Innovation, a division ofWentaone of the leading Enterprise Agencies in the East of England.
Thebtcwas re-launched in 2009 following a multi million pound development to transform the centre into the primary Innovation and Technology Centre in Hertfordshire, aimed at supporting knowledge based businesses and promoting innovation within the local community. This development is part of the Council's vision to create quality business space and support in the heart of the town's business community and it is part of a £7M investment funded jointly by the Council and EEDA, the Regional Development Agency and the Government Growth Area Fund.
Thebtcis the longest serving Enterprise Hub within the region promoting networking, the sharing of knowledge and cross trading. Working to develop innovation and inspire enterprise, thebtcalso works with local schools, colleges, regional agencies, other enterprise hubs and universities to offer educational visits, work experience, mentoring and training.
Wenta is a not for profit organisation independently funded through the ownership and management of its three business centres in Enfield, Potters Bar and Watford and the management of thebtcin Stevenage. Thesebusiness centrescomprise workshops and offices with a combined space of over 100,000 square feet, let on monthly licence terms to small businesses.
In addition to this, Wenta offers business incubation centres (My Incubator), business advice, guidance, training, graduate and undergraduate work placements and a comprehensive enterprise awareness programme to schools, colleges, and universities.
For general media enquiries, please contact:
Jennifer Dong - Marketing Coordinator - Business & Technology Centre
Tel: 01923 691370, Email:jenniferdong@wenta.co.uk, Address: Bessemer Drive, Stevenage, SG1 2DX