Venture Candy entrepreneur contest with Sarah Beeny

Metro launches Venture Candy entrepreneur contest

Free newspaper Metro is launching an initiative under the banner Venture Candy to help find business and entrepreneurs for the future.

The project launches on 16 March and will see Metro invite aspiring business owners to submit applications online They will have the chance to win prizes that can help their business grow, including their own advertising campaign..

The panel of judges includes founder of mysinglefriend.com Sarah Beeny, director of Innocent Richard Reed, joint CEO of Outsourcery Piers Linney and founder of JoJo Maman Bébe Laura Tenison. They will select the best three proposals from each of five categories

Venture Candy has been created to help entrepreneurs with exposure, profile and support “to transform themselves into talked about brands.”

The newspaper will drive entries through in-paper and online promotions. Entrants will have four weeks to submit their applications across the five categories. There are design and technology, fashion & interiors, food & drink, health & beauty and green.

The Top 15 chosen by the judges will be featured in Metro across a week and readers will be encouraged to vote for the people and products they want to see succeed.

The five winners will receive an ad campaign valued at £50,000, marketing and branding help, mentorship, service support and membership of premier business clubs.

The winner will also receive support from The Scarlett Mark, who co-created and designed the project with Metro.

The top 100 entrants will have their businesses reviewed by a panel of investors, with the potential for their businesses to receive independent investment.

“Venture Candy say it is all about celebrating the urban lifestyle entrepreneur.” My question is what is an urban lifestyle entrepreneur?