WE are welcoming The Enterprise Network as sponsors of the new Start Up Business of the Year category in this year’s Wiltshire Business of the Year Awards.

The Enterprise Network (TEN) is an initiative led by Wiltshire Council with Government and EU funding which is nurturing new, and growing small and micro businesses in Swindon and Wiltshire.

Russell Frith, development officer, said: "We’re looking forward to celebrating the success of start-up businesses in Swindon and Wiltshire whose founders are the lifeblood of the British economy, and to continue our efforts to champion, support, encourage and facilitate small and start-up businesses county-wide.

"Finding out about the companies and the entrepreneurs that have only recently been established is always inspiring and we are looking forward to judging those who have entered."

TEN supports businesses right from the first ‘light bulb’ moment.

By providing modern office facilities with ‘easy in, easy out’ contracts at competitive prices, aligned with business support from Inspire - Wiltshire Business Support Services and numerous networking and workshop opportunities, TEN has helped over 100 businesses get established and grow from its four centres in Trowbridge, Salisbury, Ludgershall and Royal Wootton Bassett.

These businesses have created over 160 jobs in the area and increased GVA by nearly £2m in just over two years.