DERRY City and Strabane District Council will host an information event next week for local fledgling businesses to learn more about how they can stake their claim for a share of a £10,000 prize fund.
The ‘£10,000 Business Start Up Challenge’ will be launched as part of Enterprise Week 2017 at the Walled City Brewery in Ebrington Square on Tuesday March 7th and is open to individuals that have started a business within the last six months or have enrolled in or completed the Go For It programme.
The competition aims to reward ambitious business ideas that have the potential to make a major impact and is being organised as part of Council’s Business Development programme that aims to stimulate start-ups and business growth within the council area.
The Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council Alderman Hilary McClintock encouraged as many local entrepreneurs as possible to get involved in the initiative.
“This is a chance for anyone who has started, or taken steps to opening, a business in Derry and Strabane in the past year to secure vital funding,” she said.
“Business plans showing the most potential will gain access to cash prizes ranging from £2,000 to £5,000 to help take forward new business ideas.
“The Business Start Up challenge is about boosting firms that have clear potential and championing the City and District’s strength as an enterprise hub.”
Kevin O’Connor, Head of Business at Derry City and Strabane District Council added: “This initiative is an excellent opportunity for entrepreneurs in Derry and Strabane with innovative business projects.
“The support offered through the prize package is the boost that ambitious start-up businesses need in the early stage of development.
“By building on the solid foundations provided by the Go for it programme, this initiative aims to build more sustainable and profitable businesses”.
The competition will be judged by a panel of experts from industry and business support organisations including Liam Nelis from Gradon Architecture who will host the launch event.
“The Business Start Up Challenge will champion innovation, enterprise and the people behind the businesses,” said Liam. “It is a great way to reward the risk takers with support that goes directly into helping them grow. I’m confident we’ll have a fantastic pick of companies to choose from”.
Enterprise Week will take place from Monday 6th until Friday 10th March 2017. To view the full programme and to register, go to www.derrystrabane.com/enterpriseweek.
The closing date for entries in the £10,000 Business Start Up Challenge’ is Friday 5th May at 12.00 noon.
To find out if the Go For It programme can help your start up business log on to www.goforitni.com or access the GoForIt NI Facebook page.
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