Member Article

Variety of start-ups in for £15k prize

Business ideas in a wide range of markets will compete for a £15,000 prize package, it was announced today by organisers of the 2015 Spark Business Idea Competition at Stockport Business and Innovation Centre (SBIC).

Entrepreneurs working in events management, gardening products, designer ceramics, BMX biking, confectionery, video production, IT, student placements, educational services and sportswear have all entered the 2015 process.

The entrants will be following a similar path to last year’s event which saw the innovative bereavement gifts business, Inspired Goodbyes, take the crown.

All businesses will spend the next 6-8 weeks accessing expert business support on the road to the finals which will be held in June.

SBIC, owned by Stockport Council and based in Broadstone Mill, Reddish, is part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund and provides flexible office space specifically aimed at start-up businesses looking to make their first move into professional offices.

It also offers mentoring and business incubation services to help start-ups develop a robust business plan and support them as they grow.

Incubation Director at SBIC, Tony Corcoran, on behalf of the competition organisers, said the 2015 batch of entries were of high quality and he was looking forward to them working with the supporting business experts. He said: “It is a unique set up, as they will help prepare the businesses not just for a ‘tilt at the title’, but genuinely help them to take the next steps in their business journey. And it’s all free to access.”

As an integral element of the ongoing business support throughout the competition, a number of business planning workshops will be delivered by business experts to provide the knowhow, skills and tools to get fledgling ideas to the next stage.

The idea with the most potential – as determined by an experienced Dragon’s Den panel - will receive the £15,000 worth of business support to help get their idea off the ground.

This includes free office space for a year at SBIC, marketing, product development & PR support, along with a business banking start-up package, expert guidance on finance, legal, employment law & IP protection.

Tony again commented: “I am confident we have a great pool of entrepreneurial talent this year and am really optimistic that another cracking winner will emerge.”

Supporters of the competition include Tangent Design, Zoom Media, Royal Bank of Scotland, Clarke Nicklin Accountants, Novomodo, Gorvins Solicitors, Souter PR, Trinity Mirror Group, HGF Intellectual Property and Oxford Innovation.

Paul Lawrence, Stockport Council’s Corporate Director for Services to Place, said: “It is great to see such diversity of ideas in the 2015 entrant list and we wish them all well. SBIC is the perfect environment to develop a new idea, mix with other like-minded people and achieve something special.”

Helen Lawson of Inspired Goodbyes commented that “Now is the time to take advantage of everything the SPARK competition offers your business. It’s hard work, but it is so worth it. I don’t know any other competition where you effectively get six weeks help to make your entry the best it can be.”

Since winning the competition in 2014 Inspired Goodbyes have gone from strength to strength, expanding their product range, featuring in The Guardian newspaper and broadening their base.

For more information about Stockport Business & Innovation Centre visit www.stockport-bic.co.uk or call 0161 443 4100.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Sue Souter .