FLEDGLING businesses in the Isle of Man have just six days left to make their pitch to win £3,000 worth of free advertising.
The Local Business Accelerators competition is being promoted by the Newspaper Society in conjunction with local newspapers across the British Isles.
The aim is to give a boost to local businesses by giving £3,000 advertising in Isle of Man Newspapers to three winners – a total handout worth £9,000.
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In addition the winning businesses will be given free mentoring sessions by someone with business experience in their field.
The Isle of Man Chamber of Commerce has lent its endorsement to the scheme and Dragon’s Den star Deborah Meaden is its ambassador.
Ms Meaden will give one year’s mentoring to one overall winner chosen from the various finalists across the British Isles.
The scheme has also received the backing of British prime minister David Cameron and director general of the CBI John Cridland.
Newspaper Society president Geraldine Allinson said: ‘The UK needs to grow local businesses like never before and local businesses need local press.
‘No other medium has the power, local knowledge and influence to activate a scheme like Local Business Accelerators.’
The competition is open to Isle of Man-based businesses which are between one and three years old.
The closing date for nominations is November 14 and a shortlist will be drawn up by December 7. In January the regional winners will be announced.
Businesses wanting to enter should log on to www.accelerateme.co.uk. There, they will find more details about the competition and an entry form which can be filled in on line and submitted for consideration.
