FREE advertising worth thousands of pounds is on offer for three lucky winners of a new competition designed to give a boost to new businesses.
A total of £9,000 worth of free advertising in Isle of Man Newspapers is on offer – £3,000 to each of the three front-runners.
The contest, called Local Business Accelerators, is open to any businesses in the island that are between one and three years old. Entrants need to be nominated, either by themselves or by a third party, by the closing date of November 14.
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The scheme has the backing of more than 500 local newspaper publications and overall is expected to give a £15m boost to local businesses.
Entrants should put their names forward and credit will be given to the best, most dynamic enterprises.
The businesses nominated may be highly innovative, based on a novel and ground-breaking idea, they might have developed a new product or they might have targeted a new market. Alternatively, they may simply excel in their chosen field.
As well as free advertising, all winners will also receive free mentoring for a year from an expert in their field of business.
Entries are to be judged by a panel of the island’s business people with a shortlist of eight to 10 drawn up by December 7 and the winners announced on January 11.
Mike Hennessy of the Isle of Man Chamber of Commerce said he would be delighted for its members to be involved with the initiative.
‘I anticipate that our contribution to this could include help with judging of entries and even mentoring. We would certainly be pleased for the chamber to be involved,’ he said.
The initiative is part of a campaign across the UK and Isle of Man that has been launched by the Newspaper Society.
From all the regional winners, an overall star business will be selected to receive a year’s mentoring from Dragon’s Den star and businesswoman Deborah Meaden.
Commenting on the initiative, she said: ‘I have seen the unique contribution local press makes to the success of local businesses time and again with my own ventures.
‘In this age of enterprise it has never been more important to drive awareness about the value of local marketing for a fledgling business which is why I am so proud to support local.
‘Business Accelerators and help build thriving and industrious communities.’
Geraldine Allinson, president of the Newspaper Society, 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. It’s where local newspapers have always made a real difference: by helping to build strong local businesses and encourage thriving communities.’
