Start Up Loans Inspiring Entrepreneur of the Year: Could it be you?

Why have we got a Start Up Loans Inspiring Entrepreneur of the Year category?

The UK is home to many inspirational entrepreneurs from the likes of Dame Martha Lane-Fox, who led the .com movement as co-founder of Lastminute.com, to SBTV founder Jamal Edwards MBE, who started his media empire  from his bedroom aged just 15.

Any entrepreneur knows the path to starting and running business is never smooth. That is why Startups.co.uk has teamed up with The Start Up Loans Company to create a new Startups Awards category to celebrate business owners who have received a Start Up Loan and have an inspiring story to tell.

Headline sponsor of the Startups Awards 2017, The Start Up Loans Company is a government-backed organisation which provides small businesses with up to £25,000 via a low interest loan, as well as free mentoring from experienced advisors for successful loan applicants.

Start Up Loans is a subsidiary of the British Business Bank and its aim is to help small businesses thrive and succeed. So far, Start Up Loans has facilitated loans to 46,508 businesses and lent £301,363,687, and counting!

Find out more about why you should enter the Startups Awards 2017 from our headline sponsor:

What are we looking for in an inspiring entrepreneur?

Whether it’s overcoming particular challenges such as going it alone or bringing an entirely new product or service to market, we want to hear YOUR story.

It doesn’t matter what age you are, your background, whether you have an MBA or learned on the job, we want to see that your business is thriving and disrupting its respective industry.

To enter the Inspiring Entrepreneur of the Year category, you must have received a Start Up Loan, your business must have launched on or after 1 August 2013 and no later than 31 July 2016, and must be UK based and privately owned.

We are looking for early-stage businesses that can demonstrate excellent growth potential and possess a desire to become leaders in their market.

Once we have selected the Inspiring Entrepreneur of the Year shortlist, it will be up to the public to decide who is their Start Up Loans Inspiring Entrepreneur winner as they cast their votes via Startups.co.uk.

Why you should enter Start Up Loans Inspiring Entrepreneur of the Year?

A Startups Awards win can benefit your business in a multitude of ways; from media coverage, networking to putting you in contact with investors. Not to mention the fact that the Startups Awards ceremony is a great night for you and your team to reflect on your achievements.

You will also receive endorsement and validation from industry leaders as your business will be judged by a panel of prolific entrepreneurs and investors. While this year’s judges are yet to be revealed, last year’s panel included the likes of Cath Kidston MBE, PROPERCORN co-founder Cassandra Stavrou, and BGF investor Rory Stirling.

What’s more, the Startups Awards has a reputation for identifying stellar start-ups that will become big names. Previous winners have gone on to enjoy extraordinary success including Ella’s Kitchen, The Cambridge Satchel Company, Purplebricks and, most recently, Onfido and tails.com.