Article courtesy of the Giftware Association - We have just received information regarding Local Business Accelerators - an initiative by the regional press industry to boost local businesses.  The campaign is fronted by Dragons' Den's Deborah Meaden and aims to demonstrate how local and regional newspapers can act for the benefit of the local business community.   Since launching in 2011 the campaign has gained support and recognition from prominent figures including the Prime Minister David Cameron, business secretary Vince Cable, business Growth Fund Chief Executive Stephen Welton and CBI director general John Cridland. CAMPAIGN PRIZE Last year three fledgling local businesses from Sussex, Gastro Catering, Brighton Film School and Verdi Culture all qualified for the local prize of three months free advertising plus a programme of dedicated business mentoring.  After battling against other regional qualifiers, the national winner was Ilkely Brewery in Yorkshire.  In addition to the main prize of a year's mentoring from Deborah Meaden and a free ad campaign in their local paper, this year's LBA overall winner will take home:

• £10,000 cash sum from the Business Growth Fund
• One year's free membership with the CBI
• Free business advice from the ICAEW (Institute of Chartered Accountants in England & Wales) valued at £2,000
• An iPad from Freeagent

To participate your business has to be between 1 and 5 years old and entry to the competition is via the website below.  Please note the closing date is today, 14 November 2012. http://www.newspapersoc.org.uk/accelerate-me 

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