General business awards
British Small Business Awards (BSBC) >>
Awards ceremony run by the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB). First prize is £10k, a £5k donation to a charity of your choice, and £20k of free advertising in the FSB’s Business Network magazine.
The National Business Awards >>
A ceremony, sponsored by Orange, with a range of categories.
Growing Business Awards >>
These awards always attract luminaries from the business world. Categories include New Product of the Year, Young Company of the Year and Young Entrepreneur of the Year.
British Chambers of Commerce Awards >>
After regional rounds, the competition culminates in a gala dinner where a £25k Award for Outstanding Business Achievement is presented.
The Sage Business Awards >>
Comprehensive range of awards, covering all sectors and business sizes.
Regional competitions
The London Business Awards >>
"The London Business Awards has grown from strength to strength with extensive media coverage the event has raised the profile of the wealth of talent that makes London the financial capital of Europe.”
Thames Valley Business Magazine Awards >>
Accolades include the Business of the Year Award, Young Entrepreneur Award, Outstanding Employer of Choice Award, Small Business Award, Technology Company Award, Innovation Award, and the Business Management Team Award.
The Awards for Excellence >>
Awards run by Business in the Community for companies in London and the South East.
Birmingham Post Business Awards >>
Monthly awards with a range of prizes on offer, including, among others, champagne, a private box for the day at a cricket ground, and a mobile phone technology system.
Manchester Evening News
Business of the Year Awards >>
Categories include companies with turnover of over £50m, companies with turnover between £10m and £50m, companies with turnover of under £10m, International Business, and Young Business of the Year.
Liverpool Regional Business Awards >>
BusinessLiverpool >>
A gateway for free business support in Liverpool, where you can find information about business awards and grants.
Yorkshire Post Excellence in Business Awards >>
Categories include Innovation of the Year Award, Project of the Year Award, Best University Spin-out, Best Company to Work for and Young Business of the Year.
Sheffield Business Awards >>
Organised by Sheffield Chamber of Commerce in association with the Sheffield Telegraph.
East of England Business Awards >>
No business sector excluded and all business sizes welcome to enter.
National Business Awards for Scotland >>
Fifteen award categories covering all industries and business types.
Start-ups and young entrepreneurs
Regional events start in June.
Shell LiveWIRE Young Entrepreneur Awards 2006 >>
Offers cash prizes, PR and many more rewards for victors.
Young Business Network >>
Grants, Awards and Competitions section.
Business idea and plan competitions
Scottish Institute for Enterprise Business Plan Competition >>
First Prize is £10k and second prize £5k.
Research Councils UK Business Plan Competition >>
Offers the chance to not only win funds but get expert advice in formulating a business plan.
The National Environment Research Council Business Plan Competition >>
Prizes up to £25k.
UK SEC Business Plan Competition >>
UK SEC is a national network of enterprise centres.
University award ceremonies
Oxford University Business Plan Competition >>
UK’s largest business plan competition, with a prize of £15k.
Cambridge University Entrepreneurs >>
Student-run organisation that gives cash prizes for the best business ideas.
University of Liverpool Business Plan Awards >>
Prizes up to £7k.
Leeds Metropolitan University Business Concept Competition >>
£2k for first prize and £500 for runners up.
The North East Universities
Blueprint Business Planning Competition >>
Encompasses all of the region’s five universities, offering £35k prizes to the winners.
Women in business
Prowess Awards >>
Awards for exceptional women in business.
Technology
E-Commerce Awards >>
Organised by the DTI. National winner receives a £50k cash prize.
Online Information Awards >>
Categories include Innovation in knowledge management, Innovation in content management, best intranet or extranet project and Best implementation of a business blog.
Environmental
EnvironmentAwards.net >>
Directory of environment-related awards.
DEFRA – European Business Awards for the Environment >>
Held every two years to give awards to businesses with the best records in sustainable development.
North West Business Environment Awards >>
Categories include Environmental Technologies, Best Environmental Practice, Built Environment, Sustainable Procurement and Environmental Champions – Leadership and Media.
Wales Business and Sustainability Awards >>
Aside from the overall winner, businesses win awards in a range of environmental categories.
Inner cities
The RBS Inner City 100 Awards >>
These awards, set up to promote the growth of inner city businesses, are attended by business leaders and often luminaries that have included in the past Gordon Brown, Alan Sugar and Marjorie Scardino. Winners receive free masterclasses at London Business School.
