BUSINESSES across Essex are being given the chance to win over £2,000 in prize money.
The Essex BIG Business Boost is returning for a second year and is now open for entries.
The competition is funded by Essex County Council's Essex Innovation Programme.
The 2015 edition of the competition attracted more than 200 entries and tens of thousands of pounds of business support, training and cash prizes were distributed to the winners.
This year, four new awards have been set up celebrating the diversity of entrepreneurship in the county.
The five awards are: Young Entrepreneur, Women in Business, Disability Entrepreneur, Personal Triumph and the BIG Business Boost.
Councillor David Finch, leader of Essex County Council, said: “The BIG Business Boost competition is an exciting way to uncover and celebrate the incredible talent Essex has to offer.
"All budding entrepreneurs and small businesses should enter the awards and help show that Essex Means Business.”
The competition is free to enter and the deadline for entries is midnight on July 31.
More information or details of how to enter, visit: www.essexbusinessboost.co.uk.
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