Prize Boost for The Business Elevator competition
A Stoke-on-Trent business competition has received a prize boost thanks to support from more local organisations.
The Business Elevator – which was launched following a collaboration between Smithfield Works, Staffordshire Chambers of Commerce, Stoke-on-Trent & Staffordshire Growth Hub and PR firm BabaBaboon in April – is open to start-ups under three years old.
A prize pot of around £3,000 was already on offer, which included a 12 month free hot desk space at Smithfield Works in Hanley, 12 months free start up membership at the Staffordshire Chambers of Commerce, a two-hour PR strategy session with Sonya Farrall of BabaBaboon, plus up to 6 hours website development, a financial advisor and tickets to the Growth Hub events from the Stoke-on-Trent & Staffordshire Growth Hub.
(Main Image The Business Elevator)
Now, a brand new Galaxy A37 smartphone from Complete Communications, a brand audit and 400 business cards from Fenns, and a free Marcomms Playbook – which includes marketing tools to identify a businesses vision, mission, unique selling point and target audiences – by Chatty Duck, have been added to the prize offering.
Adele Simmons, Sonya Farrall, Tom Nadin, Rachel Wood
Tom Nadin, Head of Project and Business Services at the Staffordshire Chambers of Commerce, said: “We’re incredibly grateful to the local businesses supporting The Business Elevator competition through their generous prize contributions.
“It’s fantastic to see our business community coming together to champion innovation, encourage entrepreneurship, and help ambitious new businesses take their next steps towards growth and success.”
Rachel Wood, Growth Hub Manager at Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire Growth Hub, echoed Tom’s comments saying: “The Business Elevator is really exciting for Stoke-on-Trent and it is great to see so many organisations supporting the competition and helping others with their growth journeys.”
Adele Simmons, of Smithfield Works, added: “Stoke-on-Trent has a great business community and we are delighted that our competition has received such fantastic support from everyone. We cannot wait to share more news soon.”
Jamie Kirbyshire, Sales Director at Complete Communications, said: “When we heard about The Business Elevator competition, we were keen to get involved straight away. We’re passionate about supporting and working alongside local start-ups, and this initiative is a fantastic way to help nurture and grow businesses within our Staffordshire community.”
James Morgan, Managing Director at Chatty Duck, said: “The Business Elevator is a superb opportunity for start-ups in Stoke-on-Trent. This package of support could be the difference between success and failure for a young venture, so hats off to the Smithfield Works, Staffordshire Chambers of Commerce, Stoke-on-Trent & Staffordshire Growth Hub and BabaBaboon for making the initiative a reality.
“My colleagues, and I, at Chatty Duck Creative are grateful for the opportunity contribute with a free Marcomms Playbook, and we can’t wait to sit down with the winning business to learn more about its priorities and goals.”
Will Heaney, of Fenns, said: “We’re proud to support The Business Elevator and the aspiring local businesses taking part. It’s a fantastic initiative that helps new businesses gain confidence, develop their ideas and build valuable local connections.
“Supporting enterprise at the start of its journey strengthens our local economy and business community for the future.”
Applicants are invited to enter via an online registration form where they are asked to share information on why they started their business, what aspirations they have for their venture and what future plans they have for growth.
Entries for the The Business Elevator need to be made via the Smithfield Works website here https://smithfield-works.
Judging will take place within two weeks following the deadline and an awards celebration evening will take place on Friday 26 June.
