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Young entrepreneurs to be recognised in Northern Star Awards

Thriving small businesses and innovative young entrepreneurs are due to gain the credibility and recognition they deserve for putting our region on the map at one of the most prestigious business awards of the year this March.

Sponsored by some of the biggest names in business across the North East, the Northern Star Awards will be a must-not-miss event in the calendar for those involved in enterprise across the North East. An event to champion and celebrate the continuous determination, passion and enthusiasm of small business owners and young entrepreneurs in our region, the Northern Star Awards will be a culmination of success stories shortlisted by organisers Project North East, The Princes Trust and TEDCO, who believe the awards are ‘a great way of giving due recognition to the winners and encouraging other young entrepreneurs to push forward with their ideas.’ Carole White CEO of TEDCO Business Support Ltd adds that ‘it is fantastic to see fresh new talent emerging and for TEDCO, who are committed to helping new businesses to start up and grow across the North East it’s a delight to sponsor the start-up category.

The North East’s leading enterprise agencies have joined forces to create a truly special event that seeks to showcase emerging talent in our region, instil confidence in those looking to follow in their footsteps and inspire the community to show their support for independent businesses on our doorstep. As Melissa Middleton, Manager of Project North East explains, ‘Passionate people doing passionate things for themselves and others is exactly what these awards are demonstrating and what will be showcased throughout. It’s certainly hotting up to be the most influential business awards ceremony of 2015…and its only March! We’re urging everyone to get their nominations in and in and get involved.’

The Northern Star Awards are aimed at young people aged 18 to 30 years old who are currently running their own small business here in the North East. As a charity dedicated to inspiring younger generations, The Princes Trust is delighted to be celebrating the successes of young people in our region. ‘We’ve seen some of the UK’s most inspiring young people celebrated for overcoming huge challenges to achieve their dreams - the opportunities available here in the North East for young people are fantastic and we look forward to seeing how our Northern Stars progress and go on to achieve great things.’ There will be six categories, ranging from Most Innovative Business and Best New Business (applicable to businesses still in their first 12 months of trading), to Digital Business of the Year, Best Social Enterprise/Entrepreneur and a category dedicated to Overcoming Barriers within business. Last but not least, there will be an Overall Winner of the Northern Star Awards chosen by a panel of judges from the above category winners. Businesses are invited to nominate themselves and nominations from others are also welcome.

The Business and Intellectual Property Centre is proud to be supporting and hosting the awards evening on the 25th of March at the Newcastle City Library alongside headline sponsor Sage. Working closely with Newcastle City Council, Project North East, TEDCO, the Princes Trust and other business support agencies over a number of years to promote entrepreneurship to young people and support those who have started their own businesses, John Musham from Newcastle City Council explains how great it is ‘to see the achievements of young people in business being recognised for the first time with their own awards and a dedicated event. It is also a massive boost to have Sage on-board as main sponsor - Sage are a hugely successful global business but also a local business with their foundations in the North East and supporting us in this way demonstrates their commitment to local small business growth.’

The awards ceremony will be held in the Bewick Hall at Newcastle City Library from 5.30pm to 8pm and welcomes a host of Guest Speakers scheduled to present the awards and share their stories throughout the evening. Both the city library and Business and Intellectual Property Centre have become invaluable go-to destinations for small businesses and entrepreneurs whose expert skills, knowledge and services continue to add diversity to our region. All nominations will be judged by a panel involving PNE, Newcastle County Council, TEDCO, the Princes Trust and the individual category sponsor.

The Northern Star Awards are not only a perfect opportunity for the small businesses and young entrepreneurs involved to showcase their businesses on a wider scale and gain fantastic PR, they are also a chance to instil confidence and hope in young graduates, apprentices and budding entrepreneurs that there is a world of work out there in which their skills, knowledge and experience is of tremendous value. Whether they choose to go down the route of self-employment now, or later in life, the North East is without doubt a brilliant place to do business.

Deadlines for nominations for the awards close at 5pm on Sunday 8th March 2015 (any nomination submitted after this time will not be entered) and judging will take place between the 9th and 13th March with finalists being informed by the 16th March 2015.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by PNE Enterprise .