Hunt is on for the next batch of business accelerator champions

The scheme, which is backed by the Prime Minister, offers firms aged between one and five years the chance to win a free advertising campaign in the Yorkshire Post as well as mentoring support from business leaders in the region.

The campaign, organised by the Newspaper Society, is being replicated by more than 500 newspapers across the UK and the value of the advertising prize across all titles is calculated to be £15m.

Local Business Accelerators national ambassador Deborah Meaden, the entrepreneur and investor who appears on TV’s Dragons’ Den, will provide a year’s mentoring to the overall national winner, chosen from the regional finalists. It will also receive a local advertising campaign devised by a top London creative agency.

Last year, which marked the inaugural Local Business Accelerators competition, Yorkshire-based Ilkley Brewery, was crowned the overall winner, having been backed by the Yorkshire Post.

David Cameron said: “The Local Business Accelerators campaign has provided tremendous support to fledgling businesses across the country and I am delighted that it will be running for a second year.

“Local newspapers play a vital role in their communities and are uniquely placed to support small businesses, giving them the boost that they need to grow, which is good for local areas and good for the economy as a whole.

“I hope more young businesses put themselves forward over the coming months and get involved with this innovative scheme, which rewards entrepreneurship and creative thinking in business.”

Chris Ives, managing director of Ilkley Brewery, said “We were delighted to have been the regional winner of the 2012 LBA for the Yorkshire Post campaign and grabbed the opportunity to advertise in the paper as part of our prize. We had not considered newspaper adverts before and the results were great.

“As we were lucky enough to have been voted as the national winner too, Deborah Meaden and a London advertising agency are helping us create new adverts at the moment which we hope will boost sales in the run up to Christmas. I would encourage everyone to think about entering as the support and feedback we’ve had as a result of winning has been fantastic.”

The Yorkshire-based business mentors are Paul Ayre, managing partner of law firm Gordons, which is based in Leeds and Bradford, Roger Marsh, managing partner at PwC in Leeds, and John Hooper, director for Yorkshire Bank.

They will form a judging panel with Yorkshire Post Business Editor Bernard Ginns to shortlist entries before awarding three Yorkshire companies with the prize of business advice and free advertising.

Mr Hooper said: “I’m hoping to see businesses that have made a real step change in their growth over the last few years, particularly if they’re young firms or have turned themselves around.

“I’ll also be keen to see adaptation and innovation that has directly led to increased turnover, profit and employment on a regional and even national level; companies that demonstrate the best of Yorkshire.”

Mr Ayre added: “We’re very pleased to help with the Local Business Accelerators scheme as it has a clear focus and will make a real and practical impact.

“We know small businesses constitute the bulk of UK industry, so enterprises like those involved will be vital in leading the recovery. We’re therefore delighted to be involved.”

And Mr Marsh spoke of the importance of recognising that emerging small and medium-sized enterprises are “an essential cog in the economy’s engine and as such they need nurturing with support and assistance to ensure they achieve their optimal business performance and reach their goals for the benefit of the overall UK GDP”.

To enter the Local Business Accelerators competition, which is also being backed by Governor of the Bank of England Mervyn King, visit www.accelerateme. co.uk

The deadline for entries is November 16.

The best platform

WHEN asked for the most effective form of advertising nearly half of firms aged up to 10 years cited local newspapers, according to new research by Toluna and the Newspaper Society.

This was followed by outdoor/point of sale, which was picked by 48 per cent of those surveyed, and the internet, selected by 45 per cent. The data, collated from nearly 450 firms, found that 22 per cent of these owners were most likely to use local newspapers to advertise.