News

Ignite, one of the biggest business planning competitions in Europe, is organised by Oxford Innovation as part of its Coaching for High Growth Programme funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) Convergence Programme. The competition is sponsored and supported by a number of prominent Cornish companies. 

Cheesemaker Giel Spierings, the 21-year-old founder of The Cornish Gouda Company and winner of Ignite in 2013, set off a custom-made display at Heartlands in Pool to launch this year’s competition. Purple fireworks spelling out IGNITE flared against the dramatic backdrop of an iconic Cornish engine house, highlighting the rich heritage of industry and innovation in the county. 

Giel Spierings said: “Winning Ignite last year has transformed my company and enabled me to carry out a major expansion of the production facilities so I can start making ten times more Gouda cheese and meet the growing demand. 

“I’d recommend Ignite 2014 to anyone with a new business or hoping to start one, as it’s the best possible launch pad and the support you get is tremendous.” 

Ignite 2014 is now open to enter via the website at www.ignitecornwall.com 

Eligible candidates are invited to take part in The Ignite Experience – a series of fully-funded business start-up workshops taking place across Cornwall this summer as part of the competition. 

The two-day workshops are run by Oxford Innovation’s experienced coaching team and offer invaluable business guidance, together with an insight into what the Ignite judges will be looking for and how to develop a compelling three-minute elevator pitch. 

Competitors then submit a video entry and a shortlist of finalists is drawn up. The winner is chosen in November by a judging panel made up of Cornish business leaders. 

The winner receives a majority share of the £120,000 prize package, which includes £25,000 in cash as well as a comprehensive package of support from well-established and successful Cornish companies who contribute everything a fledging business needs to get off the ground, from website design, marketing and PR services to legal and accountancy advice. 

This year, to mark the fifth year of the popular business start-up competition, an Innovative Product award is also running in conjunction with the main prize fund to help launch a newly designed product. The winner will receive support from local experts to help design and produce a prototype of their invention, and to register its intellectual property (IP). 

Ignite project manager Sarah Wilkinson said: “We are delighted to officially launch Ignite 2014 and look forward to hearing from anyone setting up a new, innovative business in Cornwall or the Isles of Scilly. Launching the additional Innovative Product award provides opportunities for entrepreneurs to get their designs into production. 

“We’d like to invite anyone thinking of starting a new business, or who has started a business in Cornwall during the last year, to register their interest now at www.ignitecornwall.com, and to sign up for one of our free workshops this summer. Previous attendees say joining the workshops gave their new business a major boost, whether they went on to win or not.” 

The Ignite Experience workshops this year run from June through to August, and are taking place at:

> Merchants Manor Hotel in Falmouth on Tuesday 17 and Wednesday 18 June

> Tregenna Castle Hotel in St Ives on Wednesday 9 and Thursday 10 July