Splendid New Business Award

The award

The Business Action Splendid New Business Award recognises the success of new businesses in or near North Devon as they establish themselves.

New businesses are essential to the success of the North Devon economy as new technology causes some older industries to disappear and the natural cycle leads to experienced business people retiring. New businesses are always needed to replace old ones and to develop the economy for the future. Due to its remoteness, running a business here is a big challenge and maintaining a business here is a major achievement.  

From buying and selling goods at a market to establishing a specialist consultancy, the Outstanding New Business Award highlights entrepreneurs who put their plans into action to build a successful North Devon business.

New businesses include amateurs who have turned their activity into a commercial enterprise, startup businesses, established businesses purchased and relaunched by new owners and standalone spin-offs from other companies.

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Sponsor this award – call 07971 176044

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Criteria

The judges are looking for evidence of at least one of the criteria below. You don’t have to meet all – just use them as a guide for your entry – what’s most important is for you to tell your story!

• Businesses developed out of hobbies, after leaving employment, with own investment, spun out of existing businesses as separate concerns or established businesses transformed by new owners
• Investment in training to develop necessary business skills
• Original business ideas or a fresh take on an existing type of business 
• Persistence in driving a business from scratch to success
• Success such as employing staff or exporting
• Drive and commitment to transform a vision into reality 

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Who can enter?

The Splendid New Business Award is open to any business in or near North Devon started on or after 1 January 2023. This includes businesses acquired by and transformed by new owners, businesses spun off from other companies and sole traders who have perhaps turned an amateur activity into a commercial enterprise.

Businesses can enter themselves or can nominate other businesses.

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Category rules for entry

Please follow the category rules below, which also include useful suggestions on how to ensure your entry showcases achievements in the best possible light.

1. You can enter your own business or another business based in or near North Devon (from Clovelly and Holsworthy to Woolacombe, Lynmouth, South Molton, Witheridge and Chulmleigh) for this award.
2. Business entered must have been started on or after 1 January 2023. The judges will also consider businesses that have changed ownership and have been run by new management since 1 January 2023.
3. Ensure you read the awards terms and conditions.
4. Read the criteria and the questions on the form below in advance so that you understand what the judges are looking for and tailor your answers to these.
5. There is no restriction on how much information you can provide in your answers, although please ensure that anything you say is relevant to this award. The questions are deliberately open to enable you to submit the best possible entry and the examples given are purely illustrative.
6. Add any other information you feel is important to highlight success.
7. Provide as much detail and evidence as possible to back up your claims, including relevant links to web sites or videos.
8. Write and save your answers in a note-making or word-processing app first and copy them into the form below. This ensures you do not lose anything you have taken a long time to write.
9. Attach any files, eg customer compliments or images of products, to support your entry.
10. The closing date for entries is 23:59 on Tuesday 10 March 2026.

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Award now closed for entries

Thank you.