Organised by Business Growth Hub, part of The Growth Company, the contest is one of the highlights of the Venturefest Manchester 2017 programme, sponsored by Avensure, Appleyard Lees, Catax, Lombard, NatWest and Pomegranate Consulting.
Open to businesses from across the North West, the competition has two awards – one for the best start-up business (trading for less than three years) and another for the best established business (three or more years trading). This is in recognition of the distinct differences impacting businesses in each category of the competition. Each award comes with £20,000 worth of business support for the winner. Unfortunately we did not win the top price, but came runners up. We had a great day and met some great new contacts and made some new friends.
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The shortlist for the Best Established Business is:
Tile Master Global Ltd
This innovative Stockport company manufactures and distributes professional cleaning products and systems.
Avakino Limited
Based in Central Manchester, Avakino produces a range of specially designed headwear products for those who go through hair loss due to cancer and alopecia.
Mello Drinks
Mello manufactures and distributes a range of natural fruit juices and snacks from its Manchester base and is the UK’s only recognised healthy melon brand.
Rochdale Circle CIC
This innovative community interest company flips traditional health and social care thinking on its head by focusing on ground-breaking service models.
The Link app
Based in Central Manchester, The Link is a free mobile app that provides an encrypted communication channel for those in the legal profession.
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The shortlisted businesses will now receive pitching advice and support by finance specialists from within the Growth Hub and make a short three-minute presentation at Venturefest Manchester, which takes place at Manchester’s Bridgewater Hall on Thursday 14 September.
Chris Greenhalgh, head of innovation and programme development at the Hub, said: “The standard of entries for the 2017 Innovation Showcase has been exceptional, and the final promises to be hugely competitive.
“With a unique mix of inspirational speakers, interactive workshops and networking and business opportunities, this year’s Venturefest is lined up to be better than ever. If you’re an innovator, investor, entrepreneur or academic, book your place now at venturfestmanchester.com.”
