Public set to vote for the top entrepreneur

May 9 2008 Evening Gazette

FOURTEEN of the best new business brains will go before the public next week in the final stage of the If We Can, You Can challenge, backed by the Evening Gazette.

More than 120 rising entrepreneurs from the North-east entered the competition pitching a wide range of ideas, with the world’s first commercially produced Parmo, obesity-beating health clubs for kids, and a bespoke letting service for landlords, among those from the Tees Valley.

Judges from organising body the Entrepreneurs' Forum, Business Link North East, and editors of regional newspapers, including the Gazette’s Darren Thwaites, have already whittled them down to 14 finalists who made it through the tough selection process.

Finalists’ names will be announced next Thursday (May 15) when an online Apprentice-style public poll will vote them in or out of the running at www.ifwecanyoucan.co.uk

The winners will receive a monthly “money can't buy” business surgery with some of the region's leading entrepreneurs, an iphone and a £2000 support package.

All will continue to be part of a growing online community of entrepreneurs, now numbering more than 240, sharing their experiences with others through www.ifwecanyoucan.co.uk