HSBC Start-Up Stars Awards

The eighth HSBC startup stars awards has recently been announced. The start up stars awards is looking for new UK businesses that show exceptional drive, creativity and business acumen. The top prize is a whopping £50,000 that goes to the most inspirational startup business - and the entrepreneur behind the success.

The 2007 prize was won by Adam Goodyer of Concert Live and he says “Being shortlisted for and winning awards is great for morale and it’s good for helping you look at your business. It gives you a reason to take stock, get a handle on where you are and thing about where you are going”

The awards are backed up by the government and additionally sponsored by Sky News and the Daily Express and are looking for startup businesses that are less than 3 years old that can prove they have the determination for success. The finals are being held on 29th October 2008 at the Dorchester Hotel in London . 

Entrants must complete an application form and if successful will enter a regional heat. This in itself produces 50 regional winners chosen by an expert business panel that choose 10 finalists per region. Each  national finalist receive £2,500 of Google Adwords with the overall winner getting £5,000 of Google Adwords and a trip to Google’s London Headquarters.

So if you are one of a growing sole trader or small business entrepreneurs why not enter? If you have a great idea and business acumen, who knows, you could scoop the top prize. Head over to http://www.startupstars.hsbc.co.uk/ for more information and how to enter the awards information.