Britain’s 100 Smartest Businesses - 3 Weeks Left to Apply

Jan. 12, 2010 - PRLog -- Combing through the UK, Smarta are looking to locate, expose and pay tribute to the super smart small businesses that are often left unnoticed. . The closing date is approaching (Tuesday 2nd February 2010). Enter by visiting the Smarta website at www.smarta.com/smarta100 and submit your business.

The winning Smarta 100 will be presented on small business advice website Smarta.com (which currently features over 700 video interviews of leading entrepreneurs) for other businessmen and businesswomen to be inspired and learn from their journey of hard work.

The panel for this small business competition includes top entrepreneurs: Pimlico Plumber founder Charlie Mullins, founder of Coffee Republic, Sahar Hashemi and Smarta’s founder Sháá Wasmund. The judges are looking for innovative businesses doing something different, daring, and disruptive, using streamlined respectable practises and/or making a considerable contribution to their community.

Deborah Meaden, supporter of Smarta said: “Discovering great new businesses is a passion of mine as is encouraging businesses to think and work better.  The Smarta 100 does both of these things – and celebrates the best of British business at the same time.”
The criteria for the competition is as follows – businesses must be trading in the UK, have fewer than fifty employees and be privately owned. Smarta are currently inviting entries from British businesses to take part and compete. The Smarta100 winners will be declared in February 2010 with which a private event will be reserved for the final 100. To learn more and signup, visit www.smarta.com/smarta100

Small Business Advice Site - Smarta.com
Smarta is a huge online resource for small business owners, started by entrepreneur Sháá Wasmund. Backed and supported by renowned entrepreneurs Michael Birch, Theo Paphitis and Deborah Meaden, Smarta.com offers business advice and business tools including a networking opportunity where business owners can ask questions and get advice. You can discuss bold moves like starting a business working from home or airing a new business idea to get feedback on. There are more than 1,000 guides, business case studies and videos where top entrepreneurs from the UK share their wealth of knowledge and experiences. To find out more, visit www.smarta.com

Smarta 100 criteria
•   Businesses must be privately-owned, trading and based in the UK
•   Businesses must employ fewer than 50 people

Entries must give evidence of one or more of the following:
•   Unique, disruptive or original business concept or delivery
•   Exemplary customer service and satisfaction
•   Efficient and ethical operating practices
•   Financial success in excess of industry standard
•   Contribution to your local community
•   Fulfilment of personal goals
•   Determination to overcome obstacles and triumph in the face of adversity

Smarta 100 benefits  
The companies and entrepreneurs selected for the Smarta 100 will be featured on the Smarta website as an example and inspiration for aspiring entrepreneurs.  In addition, they will be invited to exclusive networking events throughout 2010 with the panel and other Smarta supporters.
Key Dates
•   Tuesday 24th November Smarta 100 open for entries.
•   Tuesday 2nd February Closing date for entries.
•   Monday 15th February Smarta 100 winners notified by e-mail.
•   Tuesday 16th February Official announcement of Smarta 100 winners.
•   Late February / early March networking event exclusively for Smarta 100 winners and judges.

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Smarta is a new support platform for business owners and entrepreneurs. Our aim is to provide a one-stop-shop where business owners can connect, learn and actually *do* business.

Smarta was founded and is run and backed by some of the UK's top entrepreneurs. At the heart of everything we do is a belief that business owners learn best from each other. Because we are entrepreneurs, we understand what business people want and need.

Smarta is unique because it delivers: real-time access to 1000s of people running businesses; *real* business advice from business people that have been there and done it; access to live professional advice from lawyers, accountants and other services providers free of charge.