Now in their 14th year, the awards have a history of uncovering some of the most exciting, innovative and scale-able business models, with Scottish Equity Partners’ investment of Cambridge-based Zeus Technology scooping the Best Venture Award at last year’s ceremony.
Created in 1999 by Real Business and the CBI, the Growing Business Awards are the most established recognition for UK independent and entrepreneurial businesses.
Categories at this year’s awards include:
- Innovator of the Year - For the first time, the Growing Business Awards recognises exceptional innovation across all sectors
- Export Champion of the Year - This award recognises British companies expanding or launching operations abroad
- The “Made in Britain” Award - We honour products, technologies and innovations primarily developed, designed, engineered and manufactured here in the UK
- “Young star of Enterprise” - Britain needs an enterprise renaissance. This award recognises young people (under the age of 25) who are encouraging enterprise in their school, college, university, place of work or community
- “Local Hero” - Entrepreneurs can transform local communities. This award recognises leaders making a positive impact on their local economy
The deadline for nominations is 21 September 2012.
David Richardson, Regional Managing Director of Mid Markets, Lloyds Bank Wholesale Banking & Markets in the Midlands, East and South West, said: “Our priority is to champion British enterprise and provide high-growth, well-run companies with the expertise and funding they require to achieve scale both domestically and internationally. By supporting these firms, we can help them to realise their ambitions and ultimately drive wealth, create jobs and boost exports.
“The calibre of firms identified by the Growing Business Awards is always outstanding and we look forward to celebrating those businesses with an insatiable appetite for growth.”
Dr Neil Bentley, CBI Deputy-Director General, said: “The UK’s small and medium-sized firms have some of the greatest potential to grow and increase jobs, so creating the right conditions for them to do business in is critical to the health of our economy.
“The CBI is delighted to celebrate the achievements of these firms by supporting the Growing Business Awards.”
Matthew Rock, Co-Founder of Real Business, added: “The Growing Business Awards recognise the heroes and future stars of British enterprise. It really is crucial that we continue to foster the rich vein of enterprise in this country if we are to build our way out of recession.
“High-performance companies are the key to economic stability - just a few thousand businesses will generate half of all new jobs and contribute around 20% of private-sector GDP.
“The winners of this year's awards will be some of the champions who revive Britain's prosperity and we want to put the spotlight on them on their way to growth.”
The Growing Business Awards are attended by the UK's most celebrated entrepreneurs and will take place at the London Marriott Hotel, Grosvenor Square on Tuesday 27 November 2012.
The awards are supported by Cass Business School, Business Voice, Professional Engineering, Land Rover, Spring Law, Your Business Your Future, Bdaily Business Network and the Financial Mail.
To apply for the Growing Business Awards 2012 visit: gba.realbusiness.co.uk
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