Lincolnshire businesses invited to Grow with the Show!
7 March 2016, Press Releases
Start-up businesses are being invited to enter the Lincolnshire Show’s annual ‘Grow with the Show’ competition, with the winner’s prize including a host of tools to help them progress successfully into business.
The Lincolnshire Showground has again teamed up with Sparkhouse and The University of Lincoln for the annual competition, which is open to any person aged between 18 and 35 who is based in Lincolnshire and has started a business within the past three years.
In addition to free trade space in front of 60,000 visitors at the 132nd Lincolnshire Show on the 22 and 23 June, winners will also receive a £250 cash prize, business mentoring from the Sparkhouse team, a detailed website review worth £300 from Root Studio and an invitation to the Lincolnshire Media Business Awards.
Jayne Southall, CEO of Lincolnshire Showground, is delighted to welcome the competition back for a third year.
She said: “The Grow with the Show competition is an excellent opportunity for any new business in Lincolnshire to showcase their business and significantly increase their trade, with the support of the Lincolnshire Showground.
“We are proud to be running the competition for a third year now. Grow with the Show always receives a number of entries and interest from local businesses and previous winners have gone on to grow their business significantly, with one winner being able to set up shop in Rome.
“We are always keen to support new start–ups and local businesses in Lincolnshire. I look forward to announcing the winner and seeing their business bloom over the next year.”
Previous winners have included Emily Colley of Boudoir Blushes and Rebekah Lockley of RubyRebekah Ceramics who, following on from the success of ‘Grow with the Show’ in 2014 took her business to an international level.
Grow with the Show has developed since launching and for the first time this year, the winner will receive mentoring from support centre, Sparkhouse which provides guidance to those wanting to launch or grow a business.
Head of business incubation and growth, Vicky Addison for Sparkhouse, added: “We acknowledge that launching and growing a business is a journey of development and all businesses take different paths and develop at a different pace. At Sparkhouse, we have the facilities and support to help you develop your business.
“Sparkhouse is pleased to be supporting ‘Grow with the Show’ as its purpose is at the heart of everything we do by supporting young entrepreneurs to grow and develop their ideas. We believe mentoring is one of the most important support services a growing business should have access to and we will support the winning businesses through our mentoring scheme.”
Jayne added: “The Lincolnshire Show is the perfect platform for any business to exhibit. With more than 60,000 people expected to attend this year’s Show over the two days, the winner will receive great exposure while being able to sell to thousands of potential customers.
“We would like to thank Sparkhouse, The University of Lincoln, Lincolnshire Media and Root Studio for their continued support with Grow with the Show.”
The closing date for entries is 14 March 2016. The shortlisted nominees will be invited to meet with a panel of judges on 21 March with the winner being announced at the end of March.
The runner up will also receive £100 and two society guest badges providing free admission to the Lincolnshire Show over the two days and access to the exclusive members’ area.
To find out more information and to apply for Grow with the Show, please visit http://www.lincolnshireshow.co.uk/exhibitors/growwiththeshow.
