Innovative Young Firms Make Local Business Accelerators Shortlists

A metrology company which measures components for the aeronautical industry and a language service which translates more than 140 languages for clients are among the latest companies to be shortlisted for Local Business Accelerators.

Over the past week, hundreds of innovative young businesses have featured in local and regional newspapers as they publish their shortlists for the campaign which aims to provide a boost to local economies across Britain.

The Salisbury Journal's shortlist includes a drainage solutions firm, an interior design company, a roofing repair firm and a metrology company which checks components for industries such as aerospace, while the Dorset Echo’s shortlist includes a women-only decorating firm, photo booth provider and a company that helps people learn to play the piano.  

A language translation service, photography firm, motorbike servicing store, networking service, and a jewellery maker had scored points with the Huddersfield Daily Examiner’s judging panel.  

In Northern Ireland, the News Letter’s shortlist includes a renewable energy company, a premium liqueur producer, and a firm promoting local tourism via a smartphone app, while in Scotland the Evening News shortlist features a tea shop and a greetings card company. 

The Rutland and Stamford Mercury announced it would be turning the spotlight on businesses including a physiotherapy firm, a car care supplier and a designer of exhibition stands while the North Devon Journal’s shortlist includes a financial services firm, a rock and water adventure company and an indoor market.

The North West Evening Mail published video footage of its pitching session for entrants. Like the Evening Mail,  Bedfordshire on Sunday was one of a number of papers which invited entants to come and present to judging panels.

Five businesses made the Lancashire Telegraph’s shortlist after a mix of firms from covering education, commerce and social enterprises sectors applied to the scheme. The Banbury Guardian’s shortlisted includes a dating website for Christians, a construction training service and a gym.

The Milton Keynes Citizen’s judging panel put an events company, a fitness firm and a home food delivery service through to the next round while the Hertfordshire Mercury’s shortlist  featured a woodwork firm, a company helping businesses become more energy efficient, and a beauty firm.

On Teesside, the Evening Gazette’s shortlist featured a number of innovative businesses including a mobile barista service, wildlife training company, a sweet maker and an engineering and manufacturing company.

The Larne, Carrick and Newtownabbey Times includes a laundry service and a glass repair firm while the News Guardian’s shortlist featured a media and creative business, a gift manufacturing firm, and a local food development and awareness service.

The Reading Post’s shortlist features a caterer, renewable energy supplier and golf equipment trade-in firm. Editor Andy Murrill said: “We are looking for businesses that have the potential to grow, providing much-needed jobs and boosting the local economy.

“We want to use the power of the Reading Post to help these young businesses succeed.”

As well as being reported by local and regional press titles, shortlist announcements have also been made by the successful businesses themselves and various specialist media.  

Birmingham-based recruitment Alexander Daniels announced that it had made the Birmingham Post’s shortlist which featured six other businesses including a supplier of water coolers and a tailoring firm.

Specialist website Comms Business reported that a call recording company Liquid Voice had been shortlisted and the Society of Independent Brewers announced that the Ilkley Brewery had been shortlisted for LBA.

And an agency set up to address the problem of waste electrical equipment being sent to landfill sites announced it had been shortlisted by the Derbyshire Times.