13 - A Lucky Number

13 rather than the 9 budding entrepreneurs have been short listed and invited to present their business ideas to The Search judging panel at the end of November. The extension of the short list to accommodate an additional 4 entries reflects the quality of ideas and entrepreneurial passion which has delighted the judges and made for an extremely difficult judging process involving much deliberation.

The Search aimed to inspire entrepreneurs of all ages and the short list demonstrates that age is no barrier when it comes to business talent in the Merseyside region. 9 of the following short list will be pronounced finalists by the judges and will attend the Awards Luncheon in Liverpool on 13th December, when Cherie Blair will announce the winner of the initiative and Merseyside Entrepreneur of the Year 08. This outstanding entrepreneur will receive up to £100,000 of business funding support and a 12 months programme of coaching and mentoring from regional business experts who have pledged their support to the initiative and its goal to nurture entrepreneurial talent in Merseyside.

The shortlist displayed in age bands is as follows:

18-25:

26-49:

50+

David Mairs, CEO of Bromborough based international asset managers Dominique Faversham Group and founder of The Search has been impressed by the response to the initiative which was inundated with entries and has the following personal message for entrants:

"I would like to personally thank all those applicants that took the time to submit their business plans and I wish you all the very best of luck with your projects. When I launched The Search it was because I believed there was a wealth of undiscovered and unsupported entrepreneurial talent in the Merseyside region. However, both I and the judges have been stunned at the number of unique and insightful ideas submitted. It was difficult enough for the judges to whittle the shortlist down to 13, and we are preparing ourselves for a very tough decision in the next few weeks."
David Mairs
Group Chief Executive and Panel Chairman - Dominique Faversham Group

Nine Finalists Announced by The Search

The Search judges were extremely impressed by the calibre and variety of presentations delivered by the extended short list of thirteen entrants on Thursday 29th November. The panel deliberated long and hard before selecting the nine finalists who will be attending the Awards Luncheon on Thursday 13th December when the Merseyside Entrepreneur of the Year 08 will be announced and presented with their award by Cherie Blair.

The nine finalists are:

  • Colette Borrow – The Bright Ones
  • Andrew Burke – The Lock-A-Box
  • Stephanie Davies – Laughology
  • Jennifer Duker – The Football Barber Shop
  • Lisa Horne – Healthy Paws
  • Barry Piorkowski - Biomechani
  • Stephanie Swain – WLF Associates
  • Paul Winter – GeoTreasure Hunt
  • David Wright - Interesting Imports

The judges would like to thank all thirteen short listed entrepreneurs for their efforts and presentations which made for a highly inspiring day.