Search for Start-Up Stars

The seventh HSBC Start-Up Stars Awards launches on February 5, starting a national search for the UK’s most promising start-up businesses and the inspirational entrepreneurs behind them.

The awards - presented with the Daily Express and Sky News and backed by government - are open to any fledgling company less than three years old that can prove it has the necessary determination, dedication, creativity and business acumen to succeed.

The winner of the top prize of £25,000 will be announced at London’s Dorchester Hotel on October 24 before an audience of 300 guests from the worlds of business, politics and the media.

A cheque for £7,000 will be presented to the runner-up, while the business scooping the new Green Award will receive £5,000. In addition, each national finalist will win a prize package worth £4,000 from Intuit and Google and two years’ free banking from HSBC.

Entry forms are available from HSBC branches, online at www.hsbc.co.uk or by calling the Start-Up Stars office on 0870 902 3333.