Startups Awards on hunt for best new businesses

The search for the UK’s most promising start-up businesses is well underway as entries continue to come in for the 2007 Startups Awards.

This year’s panel of judges include Jonathan Moules, the Financial Times’ entrepreneurship correspondent, Tim Campbell, winner of 2005’s The Apprentice, Karen Hanton, founder of Toptable.co.uk and a whole host of other entrepreneurs and business representatives.

The awards, which are supported by the Department of Trade and Industry, are open to any UK business less than three years old with fewer than 60 employees.

The 15 categories include Innovative Business of the Year, Retailer of the Year, Young Entrepreneur of the Year, Women in Business Award, and a new category for 2007: Green Business of the Year.

Winners of each category will then compete to be named the NatWest Business Startup of the Year and collect a grand prize of £5,000.

A shortlist of finalists is due to be announced in August ahead of the awards ceremony in London on October 31.

If you want to give your business the recognition and attention it deserves there’s still time to enter the awards. The closing date for entries is July 13.

Visit www.startupsawards.co.uk for more information and to request your entry pack.