Awards Categories For New and Early Stage Businesses: “Start Up Business of the Year” – You are eligible to apply for this category if you have been trading for up to 18 months by the closing date of the 26th July 2019

“Rising Star Business of the Year” – You can apply for this category if you have been trading between 19 and 36 months at the closing date of the 26th July 2019

“Growth Business of the Year” – This category is for businesses that can demonstrate impressive growth in sales.

“Inspiring Achiever” – This category is for businesses that have battled against the odds to succeed. Tell us about your inspiring journey.

“Made in the Sheffield City Region” – This category is open for businesses that produce tangible products, made in the Sheffield City Region.

“Young Entrepreneur of the Year” – For any business owner under 30 years of age by the closing date of the 26th July 2019.*You can apply for more than one category as long as you fit the eligibility criteria for that category – Please complete a separate form for each one.

Which Category Are You entering?

NameDate of birth

Business nameBusiness address

PositionDate started trading

Phone numberEmail

Web addressTwitter handle

The total word count of your entry should be no more than 250 words per section (this does not include contact information).• All entries must be electronic.• A maximum of 5 attachments e.g. tables, graphs, photos or

press cuttings may be included within the entry form.*You can also attach a high resolution copy of your logo that can be used if your application is successful.

• The maximum file size is 500KB and must not be exceeded.• Please enter the entrant’s name and company name as you

would like to see it appear on a certificate should you become a winner.

• Closing date for entries is 26th July 2019.

1. Describe your business, its products and services.(Tell us about your range of products and services and give examples of how your business is innovative e.g. how you have improved things for your customers.)

2. Who are your customers and what is your competitive edge?(Describe who and where your target customers are and why they choose you over your competitors.)

3. Describe your marketing and selling processes.(How do you promote and sell your products /services?  Give details of your regular marketing activity online, at events, through print and signage, face to face, shop window, etc.)

4. Tell us about the business’s online presence.(List social media and web sites with addresses for us to view them.  Give examples of how successful these have been in attracting, followers, enquiries, sales, partnerships, etc.)

5. How good is your customer service?(List the different types of contact you have with your customers to ensure satisfaction, e.g. site visits, quotes, phone calls, e-mail order confirmations, after-sales follow-up etc. Maybe give an example of a challenge you have faced in delivering customer service.)

6. Sales, costs and profit. (Attach additional information if necessary).a. Turnover  (current average monthly sales and sales for the past 12

months if available)b. Overheads (current average monthly running costs)c. Profit (give an example of a typical sale and how much profit you make

on it.  Attach a price list if possible.)

7. Plans for the future.(What are your immediate targets for the next 6 months and where do you expect the business to be in the next 2-3 years?)

This question only applies if you are entering the category “Inspiring Achiever”

“Inspiring Achiever”8 Tell us how determined you are for this business to succeed.(Tell us about your journey so far, what challenges have you had to overcome and what challenges do you foresee for the future, how do you plan conquer these?)

This question only applies if you are entering the category “Growth Business of the Year”

“Growth Business of the Year”9 Tell us how you have grown your business.(Provide detail on what changes you made to your products, services, processes, marketing, etc. which have directly resulted in sales growth and complete the table to show us how your sales have grown over the last 12 months)

Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul

Sales (£)

This question only applies if you are entering the category “Made in the Sheffield City Region”

“Made in the Sheffield City Region”10 Give examples of how your business has been innovative with the product e.g. how you have improved things for your customers. (A definition of “innovate” is as follows: make changes in something established, especially by introducing new methods, ideas or products.)Give details of how you have developed your supply chain. (e.g. tell us about your efforts to work with local, ethical, innovative suppliers and partners).

In no more than 100 words, please give a description of your business.(This will be used in publicity material should your bid be successful)

Thank you for completing your entry.

Please submit the form via email to: Launchpadmanagement@barnsley.gov.uk

Don’t forget to book your ticket to guarantee your seat at the Launchpad Awards 2019. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/launchpad-awards-2019-tickets-61564731770

GOOD LUCK!