BUDDING entrepreneurs from across the Tees Valley are being offered the opportunity to win a business support package worth more than £6,000.

Strictly New Business is being supported by Henderson Insurance Brokers, Odyssey Systems, V&A Vigar & Co (Darlington), and UK Steel Enterprise (USKE), a Tata Steel subsidiary.

The aim of the competition is to reward the entrepreneurial spirit of the Tees Valley and is aimed at anyone thinking about starting their own business or who recently has become their own boss.

A selected number of finalists will feel the pressure when they are invited to present their business proposals in front of a live audience to a panel of respected and established local business people.

The winner will bag a prize comprising:

Free office space for six months, including electricity and gas and water rates, from UK Steel Enterprise; up to a year’s worth of office insurance from Henderson Insurance Brokers; up to a year of Internet access, web hosting and email filtering provided by Odyssey Systems; a year’s accountancy support from V&A Vigar & Co.

The judging panel will comprise representatives from the companies providing the prize as well as David Dunn, Headmaster of Yarm School, which is hosting the competition in its performing arts centre.

Jonathan Willett, a director at Henderson Insurance Brokers, said: “Entrepreneurs are vital to the Tees Valley future economic prosperity and I hope this competition will help the winning individual get a foothold on the business ladder.”

Strictly New Business is open to companies that are new start-ups or have been trading for up to 24 months. Four finalists will be chosen to pitch their ideas at the live final on February 25.

Application forms are available from stuart.nicholls@recognitionpr.co.uk and the closing date is Friday January 30.