Orange a running a competition to find new Different Business and are looking for business or projects that has the following characteristics: -
a different approach to running the business
a robust business model
a clear strategy for the project/business
evidence of a market for the project/business
a pitch that demonstrates the applicant has the necessary skills to succeed
an idea that is worth funding and could be the UK's next different business
The prizes on offer are :-
business planning advice and mentoring from Kingston Smith
mobile communications devices and plans from Orange
marketing consultancy from Publicis Chemistry
legal advice from Lewis Silkin
investment capital
All that adds up to £200,000 and covers off a years worth of support, which can get pretty well any business off the ground.
Orange have been in operation since 1994 (when the main 2 players were Vodafone and Cellnet and nobody thought that a company named after a fruit/colour would do so well) and they've always made their mark by being different.
The competition, to UK individuals (over 18) and companies, is a great way to get noticed and for people who just have got good ideas to turn them into a reality.
There are various incubators in the UK now and winning this competition is like getting into a private incubator for a whole year. Even existing businesses will gain from entering.
