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National Business Awards 2012 - open

March 7th, 2012

he National Business Awards is the “UK’s premier recognition platform for businesses of all sizes, from all sectors – public or private. The benefits of entering the National Business Awards extend far beyond picking up one of the prestigious trophies in November.”

Awards are given for the following categories:

The Orange Innovation Award.
The Huawei Customer Experience Award
The Croner Employer of the Year Award.
The BlackBerry Growth Strategy of the Year.
The Santander Small to Medium Sized Business of the Year.
The ICAEW Sustainability Award.
Transformational Change of the Year Award.
Start-up Business of the Year Award.
Small Online Business of the Year.
E-commerce Strategy of the Year Award.
The Business Enabler of the Year Award.
The Entrepreneur of the Year.

Costs £210 + VAT per category. More: National Business Awards

Deadline for applications: 12:00pm on Wednesday June 20th, 2012

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Growing Places Fund launches for Devon & Somerset

March 6th, 2012

The Heart of the South West LEP (“HOTSW LEP”) is seeking project proposals from Applicants for investment from its £14 million Growing Places Fund (“GPF”). The GPF has been established by the government to address immediate infrastructure and site constraints in order to help promote the delivery of jobs and housing and to generate economic activity in the short term.

The GPF enables Local Enterprise Partnerships (“LEPs”) to offer secure funding to developers in their area, providing the up-front investment needed to progress stalled projects. The GPF will operate as a sustainable revolving investment fund with investment enabling local projects to start or recommence infrastructure works necessary to progress a particular project. The investment will then be repaid so that it can be used again to assist in the delivery of other stalled projects.

Deadline is applications is 31st March.

Press release and link: HOTSW LEP Growing Places Fund

In addition to enabling projects to get off the ground quickly the GPF has been established to secure a return on the LEP’s investment for the benefit of its local area, which will provide the flexibility to recycle funding for other projects as developments are completed.

Deadline for applications: 12:00pm on Saturday March 31st, 2012

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£60m Rural Economy Grant launched

February 29th, 2012

The Rural Economy Grant (REG) provides grants to enable a significant ‘game-changing’, transformational performance in farm, forestry, tourism, agri-food businesses and micro businesses in rural areas in England.

Support for farming, forestry, tourism, and agri-food businesses (large or small) is available in any rural location but support for micro-businesses in other sectors is limited to the six Rural Growth Network areas only. [These will be announced in March. Devon and Somerset have a bid that is currently being considered, alongside nine others, by Defra.]

Project applications will need to demonstrate that as a result of a grant their business will achieve a significant step change in performance (such as job creation, increased turnover, access to new markets etc).

The REG application process is competitive and those projects offering the greatest return on grant investment will be more likely to be successful.

More information: DEFRA

Deadline for applications: 5:00pm on Monday April 30th, 2012

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Minister pledges a 'rural renaissance' for the Westcountry

February 27th, 2012

The Government wants a rural “renaissance” where high-tech businesses can be set up in the rural Westcountry as easily as in central London, a minister has said.

Environment Minister Richard Benyon visits Devon and Cornwall today to discuss rural issues and how to stop pubs, schools and firms closing.

New Business Invest competition launches

February 27th, 2012

The Business Invest 2012 Campaign provides £10,000-worth of business-boosting prizes, expected to generate up to £100,000-worth of sales for the winning business. Presented by Devon business Evado Media and supported by other key Devon businesses, the Campaign is easy to enter for all small and medium enterprises. Entrants must be in business in Exeter or the surrounding area, known as the City and the Heart of Devon and including Exeter, East Devon, Mid Devon, South Devon or Dartmoor. Entries must be made within 6 weeks, starting on the 10th February 2012.

More information: businessinvest.co.uk

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Pitching for Management - Exeter and Plymouth events

February 9th, 2012

Two pitching for management events are being run in association with UKBI in Devon on 20th Feb in Plymouth, and 21st Feb in Exeter. http://www.pitching4management.com/

This is an interesting play on angel pitching. They take a small number of businesses who recognise they have management needs and get them to pitch to people who can and want to help, including having management roles in the companies.

The aim is to get four to six companies in the local area who need an injection of expertise, whether mentor, non-exec or senior management. This is has already been a great success in a range of places across the country. The events will be ideal for any companies who wish to grow and see a lack of human resource currently holding back their growth prospects.

To book please register here:

Exeter

Plymouth

For further information please contact Modwenna Rees-Mogg on 01761 452 248 or email: modwenna@angelnews.co.uk

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Bespoke Devon based bike manufacturer with a new work-life cycle

February 7th, 2012

An Exeter-based company behind a new lifestyle brand has been established with a business model that gives 10 per cent back to charity.

RULE is to launch the first of its products later this month – a range of custom-built Style Bikes, from which 10 per cent of the profits made, will go to support injured Royal Marines. The bikes are assembled to order in Devon from a large choice of different components and are aimed at the upwardly mobile cyclist.

For further information click here.

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Devon based Crowdfunder invited to Downing Street

February 7th, 2012

The co-founder of an Exeter-based company which secures finance for enterprises from members of the public has briefed the Cabinet Office’s Red Tape Challenge task force on his pioneering business funding model. For more information click here.

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Apprenticeship campaign runs in North Devon

February 3rd, 2012

101 Days: Employer Event

If you are a business owner unsure of how an apprentice could benefit your business, join North Devon + at the 101 DAYS: Employer Event on 10th February 2012 to learn more…

Common misconceptions that will be addressed include:
I don’t have time to take on an apprentice
There’s no apprenticeship out there that suits my business
I can’t afford it

If you agree one or more of these statements, then this Employer Event is for you. Last year they had 124 businesses through the doors with 126 new apprenticeships pledged across Northern Devon. This year they will be exploding the myths and out-dated thinking around apprenticeships, so don’t miss out.

Friday 10 February – 8.00am – 12.00pm at the Barnstaple Hotel

Regeneration cash to help drive South West economy

February 3rd, 2012

Almost £20 million of Government “fix-it” cash is to be lavished on the Westcountry to revive stalled housing developments, shopping centres and business parks.

In November, the Western Morning News reported two regional regeneration bodies were to be given spending money from the so-called Growing Places Fund.

Now Communities Secretary Eric Pickles has confirmed the Devon and Somerset Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) is to get £14.5 million.