Organisers of Liverpool Loves Business and Spark Up are encouraging entrepreneurs and SMEs to act fast to have the opportunity to present their business ideas to win cash prizes and business support.

Liverpool Loves Business will take place between 9am and 5pm on Thursday 4 August at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, Pier Head, Liverpool.

Business people across Liverpool City Region are invited to register to take part in The Bigger Pitcher. The initiative will feature in the event’s afternoon programme between 2pm and 5pm.

The Bigger Pitcher is being presented in association with business accelerator programme, Spark Up and will see the festival join forces with local business networks to give entrepreneurs from across the City Region the opportunity to compete for up to £5,000 worth of prize money and business support.

The Bigger Pitcher consists of four categories – Spark Up, Start Up, Growth, and Social Value. Each category features prizes to help develop and grow the winning enterprises.

The deadline to participate in The Bigger Pitcher is Thursday 30 June. Register online at www.liverpoolloves.co.uk/business

With less than two months until Liverpool Loves Business, organisers Orb CIC have announced the names of the expert judges who will put the participants through their paces to find the business stars of tomorrow.

The Bigger Pitcher will be hosted by Paul Corcoran, Managing Director at Agent Marketing. Paul has a wealth of knowledge in setting up and managing a successful business whilst supporting and guiding other business leaders to do the same.

Last month, Paul won the Business Leader of the Year accolade at the national Guardian Sustainable Business Awards 2016 for his vision to strive to lead differently in business.

Speaking about hosting The Bigger Pitcher, Paul commented:

“Liverpool Loves was one of the stand out business events of 2015 and I am delighted it’s returning for a second year. I’m really looking forward to hosting The Bigger Pitcher event, helping support the brilliant new businesses coming out of our City Region. Helping new and growing businesses has always been very important to Agent – we need these firms to help make our City Region better than ever.”

The judges are Adam Gillett, Senior Business Development Manager of the UK’s leading Crowdfunding site CrowdCube (North); Chris Nisbet, Founder/Director of start-up funding connectors SEIS Match; and Diane Cannon, North West Director of the Business Shaper Group.

Diane Cannon commented:

“I’m thrilled to be joining The Bigger Pitcher as a judge. Setting up a business is a huge challenge and the competition is a fantastic opportunity for entrepreneurs to promote themselves, whether they are starting up or growing their business. I would encourage local businesses to enter today – and the judges are very much looking forward to meeting the finalists at Liverpool Loves Business in August.”

Last year’s inaugural Liverpool Loves Business event was hailed a huge success when it attracted more than 700 delegates from over 420 organisations to the Cunard Building. It was also Liverpool City Region’s largest, local SME conference in 2015.

In addition to this competition, Liverpool Loves Business will again feature a full programme throughout the day, including guest speakers, one-to-one business advice clinics, networking sessions, and two stages offering seminars covering a diverse range of topics.

The programme includes advice on using technologies effectively to market your business and jargon busting; utilising the Liverpool City Region Enterprise Hub; making the transition from entrepreneur to CEO; business ethics to build a brand that consumers respect and trust; and pitch perfect with strategies and advice to help secure new work.

Further seminars will include comprehensive guidance and advice on how to build an online business; retail business; service business; food and drink business; and export business. Plus an overview of the diverse sectors which make up Liverpool City Region’s thriving business community. Speakers across all sessions will be announced in the coming weeks.

Liverpool City Region businesses are invited to enter The Bigger Pitcher, and to email info@liverpoolloves.co.uk for an application pack or visit www.liverpoolloves.co.uk/business for further information. The deadline for entries is Thursday 30 June.

Register for a complimentary Liverpool Loves Business delegate pass on Eventbrite, visit https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/liverpool-loves-business-2016-tickets-25479463762

Liverpool Loves 2016 takes place over three days – Liverpool Loves Business on Thursday 4 August; Liverpool Loves Nightlife on Friday 5 August; and Liverpool Loves Festival Day on Saturday 6 August.

Keep up to date about Liverpool Loves Business at www.liverpoolloves.co.uk/Business

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