The three mentors who will guide the North East Local Business Accelerators winners for the next 12 months are a key part in the competition's prize package. Karen Dent introduces the businessmen who will be sharing their expertise with the three regional winners.

THE prize of free newspaper advertising and free mentoring is on offer to three of the region’s fastest growing small businesses which impress the judges in the Journal’s heat of Local Business Accelerators competition.

The overall national winner of the contest will also be in the running to scoop 12 months’ mentoring from LBA Ambassador and TV Dragon, Deborah Meaden, plus a £10,000 cash prize from the Business Growth Fund.

The competition, being run across the country in conjunction with the Newspaper Society and in around 500 newspapers including The Journal, is looking for fast-growing young firms to champion. They must be able to prove how they can boost their local economy.

The three regional winners will be rewarded with substantial free advertising in The Journal, and one of them will go forward to the national final.

But first entrants must impress a panel made up of Journal business editor Iain Laing and Alan Hall, Alan Holmes and Geoff Hodgson – the three senior experienced businessmen who have agreed to give up their time to mentor the three winning regional firms.

:: Entry can be made via the LBA hub – www.accelerateme.co.uk  before the closing date of November 16.

:: Follow LBA on Twitter: @acceleratelocal

Turn to page 2, to see read more on the mentors >>