Saints have teamed up with the Dominique Faversham Group to join ‘The Search’ – a bid to find the Merseyside Entrepreneur of the Year 08.

 

In association with the Liverpool Daily Post, the scheme aims to inspire and support entrepreneurial talent of all ages across the region by creating this unique initiative which is hoped will become an annual event in Merseyside. 

 

The winner will be announced by Cherie Blair at an Awards Luncheon in Liverpool on December 13.

 

Budding entrepreneurs from across Merseyside are invited to enter The Search with an exceptional business idea which requires funding and practical advice to turn their dream into a reality, or a fledgling business (trading for less than two years) which needs financial stability and expert guidance to realise its full potential. 

 

The Award winner and Merseyside Entrepreneur of the Year 08 will receive up to £100,000 of unsecured business funding guaranteed by Dominique Faversham Group and provided through Lloyds TSB.  

 

A tailored 12 months programme of coaching, expert professional advice and practical business assistance will be supplied at no cost by a range of prominent local businesses.

 

David Mairs, Group Chief Executive – Dominique Faversham Group comments: “All too often in our culture, age can represent barriers. We are keen to hear from and recognise talent in entrepreneurs of all ages.    The Search is unique in that it has created a sustainable model for the transfer of skills, knowledge and expertise to the entrepreneurs of tomorrow, not just once but year after year. 

 

“The collaboration in Merseyside should act as a role model for other regions in the UK. We have created a template that others can follow and the support from the business community, academic community, regional media, agencies and charities has been phenomenal.”

 

The Search is now open for entries and closes at Noon on October 1. To accommodate varying levels of experience, entries will be grouped into age categories of 18-25, 26-49 and 50+ and subject to a three-stage judging process. 

 

A short list of nine entries, three from each age category will be invited to present to the judging panel, which includes representatives from the three Liverpool Universities, The Mersey Partnership and members of the business community, in November; with the winner announced at the Awards Luncheon in December.   Liverpool based dance troupe and semi-finalists in Britain’s Got Talent – ‘MD Productions’ – will be entertaining guests with live performances at the event.  

  

Entries can be made on-line at www.thesearchmerseyside.com or submitted by post to Dominique Faversham Group, Faversham House, Wirral International Business Park, Old Hall Road, Bromborough, Wirral CH62 3NX. Application forms are available at all Merseyside branches of Lloyds TSB and from Liverpool Daily Post, BBC Radio Merseyside and Dominique Faversham Group.