Entrepreneurs take home prize money to make their business dreams a reality
Barclays has announced that London based business, RateMyPlacement, which operates within the student recruitment market, is one of nine regional winners of its Take One Small Step competition following a public vote.
The company will receive £50,000 prize money, as well as free support and advice from Barclays, to make their business dreams a reality.
Ali Lindsay launched the website RateMyPlacement.co.uk with two fellow students, Chris Wickson and Oliver Sidwell, whilst studying at Loughborough University in 2007. Their company, RMP Enterprise Ltd, now consists of four parts – the website RateMyPlacement.co.uk, the National Placement & Internship Awards, a publication entitled ‘A Students Guide to the Top Placement & Internship Employers’ and the latest arm of the business, On-Campus Promotions.
This year, the public voted in their thousands for their favourite London businesses, helping RateMyPlacement to scoop the winning prize.
A delighted Ali Lindsay said “The money will help us invest heavily in marketing and concentrate on raising awareness in the student market. We would also like to expand the team.”
Barclays Area Business Manager Ben Sheeran said: “Congratulations to RateMyPlacement, It’s a life-changing moment for this deserving business and we intend to support them every step of the way in order to help build the next generation of SMEs in the UK.”
The nine regional winning entries encapsulate the diversity that exists amongst today’s established and start-up businesses. From a Willy Wonka-style ice cream parlour based in Bristol to a Roman Fort reconstruction bringing the past to life in Wales, what’s clear is that all our small firms are as innovative as they are dedicated to succeed.
Over 5,000 businesses registered to take part in the competition following its launch in March. They were then whittled down to a final shortlist of 27 inspired enterprise ideas across nine UK regions by a regional panel of three judges. The entries, brought to life by videos at www.takeonesmallstep.co.uk, captured the imagination of the public, who were canvassed to vote for their favourite online.
The Barclays Take One Small Step competition is at the forefront of celebrating and supporting the nation’s entrepreneurial ambitions. Now in its second year, it has recognised the drive, ambition and inspiring ideas of a total 19 winning businesses, crucially teaming business advice alongside a prize pot of £950,000to help them grow and succeed.
Alongside the nine winners, the remaining eighteen shortlisted companies have been given £3,000 to encourage them to keep going with their business idea and will be offered further business support through Barclays.
To see the winning business ideas go to www.takeonesmallstep.co.uk.
