THE Daily Post’s search for an entrepreneur has attracted huge interest from aspiring businessmen and women in its first week.
Since it went live on Monday, The Search’s website has already received 3,000 hits and entries have already been submitted.
The competition has been set up to assist those who want help to raise cash to start a business.
If you have an idea that has commercial potential but are struggling to persuade banks or other investors to fund it, then The Search may be the answer to your problem.
The Daily Post has teamed up with Wirral businessman David Mairs to offer would-be entrepreneurs from the region a chance to win the backing they need to get started.
Mr Mairs, who runs Bromborough property group Dominique Faversham, has agreed to personally guarantee up to £100,000 of bank debt for successful entries.
Aspiring entrepreneurs from across Merseyside are invited to enter The Search with an exceptional business idea, which requires funding and practical advice to turn their dream into a reality. Fledgling businesses (trading for less than two years) which need financial stability and expert guidance to realise their full potential are also invited to enter.
The winner of this life-changing opportunity will be announced by Cherie Blair at an awards luncheon in Liverpool on December 13.
As well as funding, a tailored 12-month programme of coaching, expert professional advice and practical business assistance will be supplied at no cost by a range of prominent local businesses, all of which have pledged their support to The Search.
David Mairs, group chief executive of Dominique Faversham Group, said: “We are looking for people with a great business idea who are struggling to get funding or are unsure how to go about it, or those with a fledgling business which has been trading for less than two years and would benefit from expert professional support.” A host of regional organisations have committed to raising awareness of the opportunity represented by The Search including The Prince’s Trust, PRIME (The Prince’s Initiative for Mature Enterprise) and Business Link North West.
Log on to www.thesearch merseyside.com to find out more about this unique opportunity or follow the link from www.liverpooldailypost.co.uk
The deadline for entries is noon on October 1.
Entries will be grouped into age categories of 18-25, 26-49 and 50+ and subject to a three-stage judging process. Nine entries, three from each age category, will be invited to present to the judging panel in November, with the winner announced at the awards luncheon.
ENTRIES can be submitted on-line at www. thesearchmerseyside.com or submitted by post to Dominique Faversham Group, Faversham House, Wirral International Business Park, Old Hall Road, Bromborough, Wirral CH62 3NX.
Application forms are available at all Merseyside branches of Lloyds TSB and from Liverpool Daily Post, BBC Radio Merseyside, Dominique Faversham Group and the offices of local businesses who have pledged support for The Search.
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