terms and conditions

1. The initiative is open to individuals and fledgling businesses (trading for less than 2 years) located in Merseyside.
2. Entrants will be required to provide proof of date of birth as at 1st October 2007, in order for entries to be judged in the appropriate age category.
3. Employees or directors of any of the organisations involved, their families, or any persons directly or indirectly connected with the organisations are not eligible to enter.
4. Only one entry per person/business will be permitted. Multiple entries will be disqualified.
5. All entries submitted will be treated as confidential and information will not be disclosed to third parties without prior permission from the entrant.
6. Entrants warrant that all the information submitted in the application is true and warrant that they do not have any criminal convictions or criminal record and have not undertaken any past act or conduct which could affect the reputation of the award or the organisations involved.
7. Entries will not be accepted after Noon on the closing date specified. Proof of sending an email is not proof of receipt of entry.
8. Incomplete or indecipherable entries or those not received by the closing date will be disqualified; moreover the judges' decision regarding disqualified entries is final and no reason will be communicated to the Entrant.
9. Any dates specified may be subject to change without prior notification to the Entrants.
10. Entrants accept that if short listed they will play an active role in media activity around The Search and attend the Awards event on Thursday 13th December 2007.
11. The winner of The Search will receive up to £100,000 of business funding (by way of guaranteed overdraft) determined by business need and decided by the judging panel; security will be provided by Dominique Faversham Group. The additional business support package and mentoring/coaching programme will be tailored by the judging panel to the requirements of the winning entry.
12. The business funding and business support package is non-transferable and may not be given or assigned to another person/business. The award cannot be exchanged for cash or other alternative.
13. The judging process is confidential and no communication will be entered into regarding its manner or content. There is no appeal against the decision of the judging panel; the decision of the judges is final as is the interpretation of the terms and conditions.
14. We regret that entries cannot be returned and no responsibility will be accepted for any supporting material provided or for any entries lost or delayed by email or otherwise.
15. By submitting your application, Entrants agree to be bound by the terms and conditions.
16. Where the terms and conditions are not observed by the winner, the award organisers have the right to withdraw the award.