Categories

Entry criteria

[expand title=”Fast Growth Business of the Year”]

You can’t enter this directly. The winner will be chosen from the winners of the 12 other categories. For judging criteria see above.[/expand]

[expand title=”Innovative Business of the Year”]

Have you been truly innovative? Your innovation could be technical or an aspect of your product or service delivery or even something you do differently in your supply chain. We are looking for innovations that have truly transformed your product or service offering. For judging criteria see above, plus

1. Evidence of innovations and how it/they has/have directly impacted on performance.

When writing your submission the category specific criteria MUST be covered off and numbered as above.[/expand]

[expand title=”Service Business of the Year”]

Do you offer a truly outstanding service proposition for customers? This award will go to the company that can demonstrate it produces a service that customer’s value. As a result sales are increasing – fast. For judging criteria see above, plus

1. Sales of the company’s service portfolio must exceed 51% of their total sales.

When writing your submission the category specific criteria MUST be covered off and numbered as above.[/expand]

[expand title=”Product Business of the Year”]

This category extends to businesses that design/create and then fund the manufacture of products, not necessarily only those with their own factory. A toy company which creates toys and owns the brand but has the toy made at a third party factory would qualify, as would the business that owns/operates the factory making the toys. For judging criteria see above, plus

1. Product or family of products must be identified.
2. Sales of the company’s product portfolio must exceed 51% of their total sales.

When writing your submission the category specific criteria MUST be covered off and numbered as above.[/expand]

[expand title=”Online Business of the Year”]

This award is looking for any company that has extensively used the internet to increase its sales profits. For judging criteria see above, plus

1. Percentage of sales achieved via the company’s website must be submitted. This figure must be 80% or more
2. Number of unique users per month must be submitted

When writing your submission the category specific criteria MUST be covered off and numbered as above.[/expand]

[expand title=”Best use of Technology”]

This award celebrates companies that have embraced technology to streamline traditional processes. The winner will be able to demonstrate a tangible link between use of technology and growth. For judging criteria see above, plus

1. Technologies utilised must be listed with explanation of how they impact on the business.
2. Evidence of a tangible link between use of technology and an increase in turnover and profits, brand awareness and/or customer base.

When writing your submission the category specific criteria MUST be covered off and numbered as above.[/expand]

[expand title=”International Business of the Year”]

Is a significant and growing portion of your business carried out in or with other countries? If you are successfully exporting to them or establishing local sales operations in other countries this award category is for you. For judging criteria see above, plus

1. Evidence that the company is UK-founded.
2. Evidence of countries in which the company operates.
3. Evidence that international sales account for at least 20% of overall sales.
4. A description of how valuable international sales are for the business and how it has dealt with red tape, legal, cultural and language constraints.

When writing your submission the category specific criteria MUST be covered off and numbered as above.[/expand]

[expand title=”New Business of the Year”]

Does your business have very strong potential? If you have launched your business in the last two years and can demonstrate what the business has achieved to date and the plans it has to expand, then this category is for you. For judging criteria see above, plus

1. Evidence that the company was incorporated in the last two years.
2. Evidence of outstanding potential and details of how growth will happen. This could be through a combination of growth to date, investor confidence, future contracts, projected sales volumes, new lines, acquisitions, management’s track record, testimonials, submission of business plan etc.
3. Revenues can be less than £1m in this category.

When writing your submission the category specific criteria MUST be covered off and numbered as above.[/expand]

[expand title=”Female Entrepreneur Business of the Year”]

This award identifies female entrepreneurs running outstanding businesses and those who are providing impetus and inspiration for other women in business. For judging criteria see above, plus

1. Evidence that they have positively influenced other women in business, either through inspiration, mentoring, public speaking, the focus of the business (such as training schemes to get women into their industry) and/or
2. Evidence that they have pioneered or broken new ground as women in business.

When writing your submission the category specific criteria MUST be covered off and numbered as above.[/expand]

[expand title=”AIM New Business of the Year”]

All UK businesses new to AIM in 2010, either by flotation, private placement of shares or introduction are eligible. For judging criteria see above, plus

1. Evidence of funds raised.
2. Performance of stock, where relevant.
3. Evidence of a strong management team.
4. Evidence of key announcements to the market and any coverage achieved.
5. Evidence of use of the market to grow.

When writing your submission the category specific criteria MUST be covered off and numbered as above.[/expand]

[expand title=”Angel of VC-Backed Business of the Year”]

Your business must have received at least £250,000 in funding from either business angels or an institution such as a venture capital fund. For judging criteria see above, plus

1. Evidence of a strong, sustainable business proposition.
2. Evidence of USPs and differentiation and/or strong IP in your market.
3. Evidence of ambitious projections with sound financial and business logic/research.
4. Evidence of a strong management team with sector experience or track record of success.
5. Evidence of sales, a strong or developing client list, and a significant market to attack.

When writing your submission the category specific criteria MUST be covered off and numbered as above.[/expand]

[expand title=”Family Business of the Year”]

Family businesses make a valuable contribution to both their local area and to the UK’s economy. If you are a successful family business, whether as a father and son, a brother and sister, a husband and wife or another family duo then this award is for you. For judging criteria see above, plus

1. Award category open to family businesses currently run by one family member as CEO / Managing Director with at least one other family member working at the business.
2. Evidence of history of the business.
3. Evidence of how many family members currently work in the business.

When writing your submission the category specific criteria MUST be covered off and numbered as above.[/expand]

[expand title=”Young Entrepreneur of the Year”]

Young entrepreneurs make a vital contribution to the economy today, and are critical to the UK economic future. If you are under 30 and have founded a successful business then this category is for you.[/expand]