The Hertfordshire County Show and Robert Voss CBE Lord Lieutenant of Hertfordshire are proud to launch the first ever ‘Lord Lieutenant of Hertfordshire’s Entrepreneurs Challenge.’
The initiative has been set up with the aim to help support and promote local entrepreneurs, in the early stages of setting up a new venture, which may or may not have started trading. The Show will offer the unique opportunity for the new businesses to promote their products or services to the Shows’ audience of 30,000 people. The entrepreneurs will also each have the opportunity to pitch to a judging panel, with the winner and runner up being offered a monetary award, as well as financial and legal advice, marketing and branding advice, and access to The University of Hertfordshire’s Incubator Hub.
Robert has a keen interest in young entrepreneurs and has been a judge and mentor for Young Enterprise in Hertfordshire for a number of years. He also established and ran a Young Entrepreneurs Challenge. He has been a regular judge of The National Business Awards since 2006 and has acted as a consultant, mentor and non-exec to a number of companies. Robert believes “we undervalue young entrepreneurship and wanted to encourage young people to have a go at starting a business” and has generously given The Hertfordshire County Show permission to link his name to the initiative. The Show organizers, the Hertfordshire Agricultural Society (HAS), are delighted to be able to host the Challenge at the Show, with the promotion of local skills and trade being one of their core values.
The Challenge is also being supported by Julie Newlan, Pro Vice-Chancellor Business and International Development at the University of Hertfordshire, Lisa Bates-Wallis of St Albans Chamber of Commerce and most recently Bill Morrow, Founder of Angels Den and Keynote International Speaker.
The Criteria
This innovative opportunity will be open to all who demonstrate an enthusiastic approach to business, who resides in the county of Hertfordshire and meets the below criteria;
- Innovative and enterprising idea
- Does not need to be related to agriculture
- Business running for less than 3 years
- Could be a service or a product
- Has the potential for growth
The Prizes
The winner will receive;
- Mentoring from highly experienced Hertfordshire executives
- Financial Advice from Mercer and Hole
- Legal Advice from Longmores Solicitors
- Intellectual Property Advice from ClevelandScottYork
- Marketing Advice from Heart FM
While all finalists will;
- Have the opportunity to attend the County Show for two days, showing their produce or service to our 32k visitors
- Have access to the University of Hertfordshire’s Business Incubation Hub
If you’re interested in showcasing your original concept, you can download an application form here – LLoH Challenge Application Form
Application Form (Word Version)
Please contact Sarah Moreland, HAS Executive Director for more information on office@hertsshow.com. Entries must be in by 28th Feb, with those being shortlisted and contacted by the 15th Mar.