Created by Real Business in 1999, and supported by the Confederation of British Industry (CBI), the awards celebrate outstanding achievements in the UK entrepreneurial and SME space.
Now known as the Amazon Growing Business Awards, prizes will be handed out on 30 November in 15 different categories – stretching from new outings such as Franchisee of the Year and Triumph over Adversity Award to Entrepreneur of the Year and Digital Business of the Year.
The nomination process will run until 23 September, after which shortlists will be presented to an illustrious judging panel – which last year included the likes of King of Shaves founder Will King, Graze CEO Anthony Fletcher and Hotel Chocolat co-founder Peter Harris.
Over the past 18 years, businesses throughout the UK, and at various stages of growth, have been lauded and then gone on to become household names. From consumer companies such as Innocent Drinks and LOVEFiLM, through business-to-business firms such as Unruly and Ve Interactive, the Amazon Growing Business Awards uncover and recognise the UK’s most exceptional businesses, most ambitious and inspiring business leaders and its most outstanding and committed entrepreneurs.
Explaining the company’s decision to sponsor the event, Amazon’s UK country manager, Doug Gurr, said: “As the world is getting smaller and the opportunities are getting bigger, there could not be a better time to recognise the progress of British SMEs through the Amazon Growing Business Awards.
“At Amazon, we are committed to championing growing businesses across the UK. Whether it’s helping sell online and export their products abroad on Amazon Marketplace, providing growing businesses with easy access to innovative cloud computing through Amazon Web Services, enabling budding authors to self-publish through Kindle Direct Publishing, or offering businesses an online payment solution through Amazon Payments, we are always looking for ways to help growing businesses achieve their potential.”
The Amazon Growing Business awards have proved a to be a big draw for the global business and political community. Personalities including Bill Gates, Gordon Brown and Stelios Haji-Ioannou have donned a black tie and attended.
Hunter Ruthven, editor of Real Business: said: “We are incredibly honoured to welcome Amazon as the new headline sponsor of the Growing Business Awards.
“Amazon’s role as a champion of enterprise is no secret. It has not only helped countless business owners market their products online, but also serves as a critical provider of services that power the digital-first approach of UK small and medium-sized companies. This year’s Growing Business Awards will be the most exciting yet, reflecting the burgeoning entrepreneurial climate that makes Britain one of the best places in the world to start and grow a business.”
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