For those who are forever sketching out new business plans but never had the confidence or break to make it happen, here are 3 cool competitions that could give you the push that you need:
Your Own Pop-Up Store (London)
London’s The Hospital Club and property investment company Shaftesbury PLC have joined together to offer budding entrepreneurs the chance to setup a Pop-Up shop in Covent Garden’s Seven Dials. It can be anything from retail to exhibitions to social experiments as long as the purpose can be deemed ‘creative’.
Unfortunately the contest is now closed. However it will be interesting to see the winner’s work which is open to the public for a week in August.
There are two types of award for young entrepreneurs (aged 16 – 30). One is for those who have been running their own business for more than 3 months but less than 18 months. You could potentially walk away with a £10,000 cash infusion and support from a PR agency.
The second contest is for those who need funding in order to get their new business idea or project off the ground. There are 5 prizes worth £1,000 each that award the most innovative or unusual ideas submitted by new businesses in their first 12 months of trading.
This is one for social entrepreneurs. Have an idea that will change the world or help improve life on our planet? Or even if you just want to be inspired – have a look at the Rolex Awards which recognise outstanding initiatives in five key areas of human endeavour: science and health, the environment, exploration & discovery, applied technology and cultural heritage.
Pre-applications for the 2012 Rolex Awards for Enterprise are now being taken.