Three graduate start-ups from Liverpool’s first business accelerator programme Spark Up will take centre stage in Liverpool City Centre this week, as their businesses are showcased on a giant video screen.

Adverts for Triketastic Ltd., Russell and Brown’s Vintage Hair and Izzy Melody will play on the Liverpool Media Wall opposite Lime Street train station for the next seven days, as part of a graduation prize worth around £11,000.

The three, were awarded the advertising opportunity after they, showcased their businesses in just two minutes to an audience of 430 of the city’s leading business names at last year’s Liverpool and Sefton Chamber’s Annual Dinner.

The best pitch took home, £5,000 worth of funding for their business courtesy of NatWest, but thanks to the donation from screen operator Ocean Outdoor, adverts for all three businesses will greet thousands of residents and tourists as they arrive in the city.

Spark Up launched in January 2014 with 15 businesses who were chosen to take part in the pilot 20 week programme. Between them, participants have generated an extra £205,000 worth of investment opportunities, increased their collective turnover by around 103% and created employment opportunities for an additional 17 local people.

Applications for this year’s five month long programme are now open, with Spark Up 2015 due to commence early March.

Chamber chief executive and founder of the Spark Up programme, Jenny Stewart said:

“It’s great to see the adverts for our Spark Up graduates up on the big screen. It is quite literally a huge reminder of what Spark Up is all about – driving early stage Liverpool businesses to success.

“I’d personally like to thank Tim Bleakley CFO and his team at Ocean Outdoor for generously donating this prize, which will go a long way in promoting our start-ups.

“The three graduates who have been awarded the prize are a fantastic example of entrepreneurship and show that with dedication, determination and the right support you can create a meaningful business, which has a lasting impact on the local area.

“The response to Spark Up 2015 has been extremely positive so far and the range and diversity of the application we have received to date have really got me excited for this year’s programme.

“The next step now is to start recruiting people to help us inspire and guide these new businesses, whether that is by leading a workshop or master class or becoming one of mentors, who will work with the start-ups one on one.

“Mentors have a valuable role to play in developing start-ups, they have been there, done that and bought the t-shirt and are able to pass on some of the most important advice any business man or woman needs.”

Tim Bleakley, CEO, Ocean Outdoor, added: “Ocean are delighted to supporting The Liverpool chamber of commerce in this project. Every great business starts with a good idea and hopefully in the future we will be seeing these winners becoming Liverpool success stories. Maybe even becoming full time advertisers on the iconic Media wall, alongside other leading global brands!!”

The adverts will run for seven days from Monday 12th till Sunday 18th January on a continual loop every 60 seconds. The Liverpool Media Wall is the largest full motion out of home digital advertising screen in Europe. It reaches 1million adults every two weeks.

Those who would like to know more about the Spark Up programme or would like to volunteer their support as a mentor can contact Jenny directly on sparkup@liverpoolchamber.org.uk

Applications close on January 30 at 4pm.