Startups Awards 2017: Entries now open!

Outstanding early-stage UK start-ups have the opportunity to receive industry validation, endorsement and widespread publicity as the Startups Awards launches entries for its 14th year.

What are the Startups Awards?

The longest-running awards of its kind, the Startups Awards recognises the UK’s most creative, innovative and ambitious new businesses launched in the last four years – shining a spotlight on the start-up market.

The awards has gained a reputation for discovering incredible companies set for success with previous winners now household name brands and/or fast-growth companies helping to support the economy. Past winners include background checking platform Onfido, >AIM-listed property agent PurpleBricks, taxi hire app Minicabit and personalised gift company Notonthehighstreet.com; whose co-founder Holly Tucker won the Women in Business Awardback in 2008.

The 2017 Startups Awards boasts The Start Up Loans Company as headline sponsor and is open to privately-owned UK companies launched on or after August 1 2013 and no later than July 31 2016.

Judges for the 2017 Startups Awards are yet to be announced but you can expect a roster of business leaders, successful entrepreneurs and high-profile investors. Last year’s formidable judging panel included Cath Kidston MBE, PROPERCORN co-founder Cass Stavrou, BGF Ventures investor Rory Stirling, MADE.com co-founder Julien Callede, and Moonpig founder and Dragons’ Den star Nick Jenkins.

What is the eligibility criteria for the Startups Awards?

While the awards is explicitly looking for UK-based privately-owned businesses launched in the last four years, prospective businesses should have excellent potential as businesses with greater potential will rank higher in the judging stages.

We’ll be looking for:

• A great concept
• Revenue growth
• Profitability
• Major client wins

If you think you’ve got what it takes, download the Startups Awards 2017 entry form here.

What are the categories for the Startups Awards 2017?

There are 15 prestigious awards categories up for grabs this year including Retail Business of the Year, App of the Year, Venture-funded Business of the Year, Product Business of the Year and the Women in Business Award.

These categories include two new awards for 2017 to celebrate business:

• The Start-Up Loans Inspiring Entrepreneur of the Year award; recognising great new businesses that have used a Start-Up Loan to help their start-up fly.
• The Founders Pledge Social Impact Award; backed by The Founders Pledge, this is an accolade to identify and showcase socially responsible start-up businesses.

One category winner will be chosen by the Startups Awards’ esteemed panel of high profile judges – soon to be announced – to be crowned the The Start-Up Loans Start-up of the Year.

A shortlist of 50 start-ups will also be in the running for the People’s Champion Award, an accolade which is voted for by the public and industry.

Entries for the Startups Awards 2017 close on Friday 15 September. Don’t hesitate – start your entry submission now!