The deadline is fast approaching for the UK’s best business brains to enter BT’s annual Essence of the Entrepreneur competition.

Now in its third year and offering a £20,000 first prize, the closing date for entering this year’s contest is 31 August.

The free-to-enter awards are open to privately owned businesses that employ fewer than 75 staff. Successful applicants will be expected to demonstrate how their business is harnessing the power of technology to make a key difference to their company.

A panel of judges including Dragons’ Den star Peter Jones will select the top 20 entrants, who each receive a prize package including a 12 month contract with BT Business Broadband and the chance to be pictured by renowned photographer Rankin.

From these 20 finalists, judges will also be looking to reward the following categories:

Best Male.
Best Female.
Best Young Entrepreneur of the Year.
Most Original Business.
One lucky winner will also be crowned the year’s overall Outstanding Entrepreneur and get to walk off with a £20,000 cash prize.

Launching this year’s scheme, judge and serial entrepreneur Peter Jones said:

“It takes a lot of guts to take the plunge and start your own business, and I want to see that passion and dedication in the entries.

“However, I am also looking for a business that is doing something different and unique, and has a long-term plan for success.”

The winner of the Best Female award in 2007, Kerrie Keeling, founder of female-run construction company Woman’s Touch, urged firms to enter the contest.

She said:

“The exposure my business has received as a result of the award has been phenomenal and has snowballed into some really major opportunities.”

For more information about the scheme and to enter the contest online, visit the Essence of the Entrepreneur website (opens a new window)

Source: j4b, 13/08/2008