Member Article

O2 searching the Toon

O2 is searching for the best of Newcastle’s entrepreneurs and small businesses aim to find “something extra special” amongst the small businesses in the area.

Local businesses are being encouraged to enter one of four categories; fashion, food, technology and music, which O2 has identified as among the most creative growth sectors in the area. A £10,000 prize is up for grabs for the businesses named O2 X Entrepreneur of the Year.

Steve Bainbridge, one of the regional finalists at the 2006 O2 X Awards, said: “When you’re running a small business on a day to day level it’s easy to lose sight of what you’ve achieved. It was really rewarding when we made it through to the national finals last year and proved to be a great boost to the business.”

As well as the overall £10,000 national prize for the O2 X Entrepreneur of the Year, each national category winner (Food & Drink, Fashion, Technology & Innovation and Music) will receive business mentoring from an industry figure from their category and a profile in their category’s media partner (Grazia, Shortlist, Observer Food Monthly or Music Week).

Simon Devonshire, Head of SME Marketing at O2, said: “Newcastle has a thriving small business community and the O2 X Awards provide an invaluable platform for businesses to highlight their achievements at a local and national level.”

A regional judging event will be held in Newcastle in September. Regional winners will then be invited to attend the national finals for the O2 X Awards at The O2 in October 2008.

Businesses should apply online at o2blueroom.co.uk/O2XAwards. Deadline for entries is Monday 1 September.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .