How to enter and process of the Exporting for Growth prize

Final closing date for applications is Tuesday 31 January 2012.

Stage One. Complete the Application Form and forward as instructed

You need to be able to describe your new exporting idea and why you think the business experts should award you the prize, in no more than 200 words. The summary should give the key points of your exporting idea including how it is innovative and has the potential for export from the start. Once received this will be forwarded to the relevant region. Download the application form.

Stage Two. Auditions - Feb-March 2012

Eligible applicants will be invited to an ‘Audition’ held in one of the selected locations in their region to do a short 4 minute presentation which will cover the individual, the company, the product/service offering and business plan.  The judging panel will consist of a minimum of 4 business experts including representatives from HSBC Bank plc and PwC, and other experts drawn from marketing, legal, investment or other business advisor backgrounds. Applicants will be scored on their presentation against the following headings on a scale of 1-10:

• Clear, driving vision and ambition

• Winning market proposition

• Level of preparedness

• Evidence of ‘right’ attitude to exporting and business among company personnel.

Ability to:

• Introduce self and business

• Give an overview of sector and where the business sits

• Describe, persuasively, the global business opportunity identified

• Give an overview of the market to be targeted and why timing right for entry

• Demonstrate a high level of innovation and research

• Show evidence of thinking about intellectual property challenges

• Summarise why their proposition should win.

Please note that all those involved in the auditions will be asked to sign non disclosure agreements (see the Terms and Conditions for more details).

Stage Three. Regional Final - March/April 2012

The 10 highest scorers from the auditions will be invited to a final event in their region where they will be provided with a stand to showcase their product/service and network with the invited guests.

Guests will be by invitation only and include some of the following:

• Venture Capitalists,

• Business Angels,

• International Bankers,

• Marketing Experts,

• Business Leaders,

• International Trade Advisors

• and other Business Advisors.

To protect the Intellectual Property of applicants all in attendance will have to sign a Non-disclosure Agreement and hand in mobile phones, cameras and lap-tops.

Following the networking the 10 finalists will be asked to present their improved 4 minute presentation to the audience. The audience will vote after each presentation, based on the presentation and discussions during the networking event. The three questions will be:

• In a global context, how successful do you think this proposition will be?

• In a global context, how innovative is the proposition?

• Based on your experience would you invest in this business?

The three highest scoring companies will then be asked further questions on stage by a judging panel of experts. The panel will consist of a minimum of 4 business experts including representatives from HSBC, PwC and other experts drawn from marketing, legal, investment or other business advisors.

The judging panel will retire to consider the final order for the top three applicants. The final result will then be announced.

If you think you might be eligible please complete the application form. You may e mail the form with a scanned signature or post the form to UKTI at the address shown at the bottom of the form by Friday 31 January 2012.

Email Form with scanned signature and/or enquiries to: exportingforgrowthprize@ukti.gsi.gov.uk

OR

Send the form to:

Jo Doyle

UK Trade and Investment

Regional Directorate

UK Trade & Investment

1st Floor - Victoria 2

1 Victoria Street

London

SW1H OET