UnLtd is a charity that supports “social entrepreneurs”, offering a variety of support and sometimes funding. It recently launched the UnLtd Engage awards programme. Applications close on the 30th of September 2010, and you must be located in England or Wales. Nesta (the National Endowment for Science, Technology and the Arts) is already operating a - – - read more >

The competition season is now in full swing. There’s still time to enter some of the bigger awards. And on a smaller scale there are also a couple of quick-to-enter competitions with useful small prizes from Paypal and from printing firm Moo. 1. Your Big Year Your Big Year is a free competition to encourage - – - read more >

The competition season is now in full swing. There’s still time to enter some of the bigger awards. And on a smaller scale there are also a couple of quick-to-enter competitions with useful small prizes from Paypal and from printing firm Moo. 1. Barclays Trading Places Awards 2010 Closing date for entries: 16 July 2010. - – - read more >

Here’s a roundup of national awards most relevant to new small-business start-ups. Though it takes time to enter an award it can be a useful exercise in presenting your business to others. And if you get shortlisted or win one of the categories you are likely to get publicity for your business – and usually - – - read more >

The 2010 business awards season is getting into full swing. Though it takes time to enter an award it’s a useful exercise in presenting your business to others. And if you get shortlisted or win one of the categories you are likely to get publicity for your business – and usually also a prize. Here’s - – - read more >

Entries are now being sought for next year’s awards for women-owned businesses in the North West of England. There are six categories (including the ageist Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award – must be under 30 years of age). The prizes are £2,000 per category, with £1,000 to the runner up, and a top prize - – - read more >

The excellent home-business web site Enterprise Nation is now accepting entries for its 2008 home business award. The closing date is Friday the 15th of August 2008, and the winner will be announced on the 1st of September. The free competition is easy to enter, requiring just 200 words under each of three headings on the entry form. - – - read more >

Enterprise Nation, whose podcasts you can see listed lower down the page, has launched a new award for home-based businesses. The closing date is the  17th of September 2007, and the winner will be announced on the 1st of  October. The free competition is easy to enter, requiring just 200 words under each of three - – - read more >

Stelios Haji-Ioannou, founder of Easyjet and Easygroup, has teamed up with charity Leonard Cheshire and the British Chamber of Commerce to introduce a new £50,000 award. It is aimed specifically at people who have achieved business success despite having a disability. The deadline for entries is the 14th of September 2007. To be eligible you - – - read more >

Dragons’ Den series four has just finished airing on BBC 2, and the production team is looking for new candidates to appear in series five, filming over the summer. “Dragons’ Den is a challenging place to pitch but it’s also a genuine business opportunity to secure investment”, a researcher for the programme told us. Entrepreneurs - – - read more >

“The idea of running a brewery was a dream I had when I was sitting in local government meetings. I started the brewery in 2004, produced my first beer in 2005, went full-time in 2006 and now employ three people”, said the 55-year-old. Bill Russell wins Olderpreneur award in Great Yarmouth – and also the - – - read more >

The annual NatWest-sponsored Everywoman Awards are now in their fifth year, and are again seeking nominations. You need to have been going for more than 12 months to enter, and have a story to tell that will inspire other women. The closing date is the end of August. There’s a separate “Hera” category for older business-starters - – - read more >

Intel has launched a new competition aimed at people running or starting businesses after the age of 50. The overall winner will receive £8,000 as well as mentoring from Simon Woodroffe of TV’s Dragon’s Den. The winner and two runners up will also receive top-of-the-range Intel laptops. The competition is called ProfIT@50, and is open - – - read more >