University collaboration backs Red Rose Awards new business category

By Tim Aldred

02 Mar 2023

Rra

U Start, a collaborative project between Lancaster University and the University of Central Lancashire which supports entrepreneurial thinkers, is to sponsor the new business category at this year’s Red Rose Awards.

A new category for 2023, the new business award will honour the most innovative and successful companies to launch in the last three years. The best of the best - as selected by an independent judging panel - will be invited onto the Blackpool Winter Gardens stage to collect a custom-made trophy at the glittering prize-giving ceremony on 9 March.

Presenting the award on the night will be sponsor U Start, which provides a range of tools and expertise to support entrepreneurs and new business owners. The project, which launched in 2016, is jointly run between Lancaster and UCLan - two of the UK’s highest rated universities - and is part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund.

It makes available support such as workshops, one-to-one mentoring, access to university resources, idea testing and help with securing funding.

The programme backs individuals and pre-start businesses from any sector, so long as they have some existing connection with either university, including students, staff, alumni or a beneficiary of a previous support programme.

Jon Powell, head of enterprise and innovation services at Lancaster University, said: “We have supported everybody from web designers, coders and high-tech finance businesses to swim schools and MMA gyms.

“I believe that investing in as many entrepreneurial individuals and fledgling businesses as we can is the most effective way to support our wider society and solve so many of its problems. Even if a business idea doesn’t come to fruition, or isn’t a long-term success, that individual now has the skills and experience to try again in the future, or to be a valuable asset to an employer.”

Jon added: “Having attended the Red Rose Awards before, I think it’s a fantastic event that has a real, positive impact on the Lancashire business community. It’s great to see that there’s a category dedicated to new businesses and sponsoring it is an ideal way for us to raise the profile of our project - not just to recruit new participants but to showcase all the brilliant work we have done so far.”

Stephen Bolton, managing director of Lancashire Business View, which hosts the Red Rose Awards, said: “Lancaster University and the University of Central Lancashire are both top-tier organisations. We have worked with both extensively over the years and we’re delighted to have them as sponsors of the new business award.

“The U Start programme has done a great deal of important work, supporting hundreds of businesses and creating jobs, and we’re proud that we can provide the platform it deserves to share its successes.”

Enjoyed this? Read more from Tim Aldred

Latest news

1

Chiptech announces major innovation initiative at high-profile reception with the New Zealand Prime Minister in London. The Rt Hon Jonathan Reynolds, the Rt Hon Christopher Luxon and the Rt Hon Steve Reed (L-R Front Row) David Hammond, and Daniel Knowles

Chiptech announces major innovation initiative at high-profile reception with the New Zealand Prime Minister in London.

30 Apr 2025

2

Northstone secures full planning permission for 50 new homes in Edenfield Edenfield housing development

Northstone secures full planning permission for 50 new homes in Edenfield

29 Apr 2025

3

Ring Stones Maintenance and Construction celebrates completion of Dovestone Gardens Dovestone Gardens launch

Ring Stones Maintenance and Construction celebrates completion of Dovestone Gardens

29 Apr 2025

4

PHX Training welcomes new business leader to drive learner success Louise Kirby

PHX Training welcomes new business leader to drive learner success

29 Apr 2025

5

Lidl to invest half a billion pounds in its expansion as it eyes sites in Lancashire Lidl

Lidl to invest half a billion pounds in its expansion as it eyes sites in Lancashire

29 Apr 2025

Pc Prestonmacan Gif980x120 March
Background image for hub sign up block

LBV Hub

Leverage Lancashire Business View platforms

Post your news
Post your events
Post your offers
Build your network
Improve your SEO
Gain coverage in the magazine
Sign-up
Events
LBV122 May/June Launch Event
121 Lancashire Business View Magazine Launch
Networking
21 May 2025

LBV122 May/June Launch Event

Lancaster and Morecambe College, Lancaster, LA1 2TY

08:30 - 10:30

Sub36 Networking
Networking
11 Jun 2025

Sub36 Networking

British Jewellery School, Scorton, PR3 1BA

15:00 - 17:00

Lancashire Net Zero Carbon Conference
Net Zero Carbon Social 1200px 2
Networking
18 Jun 2025

Lancashire Net Zero Carbon Conference

Crow Wood Hotel & Spa Resort, Burnley, BB12 0RT

08:30 - 13:00

Lancashire Built Environment Conference 2025
BEC 315 X 315 Px
Networking
25 Sep 2025

Lancashire Built Environment Conference 2025

Blackpool Football Club, Blackpool, FY1 6HX

08:30 - 13:00

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course

Preston Campus, Preston , PR1 2HE

09:00 - 17:00

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course

Preston Campus, Preston, PR1 2HE

08:00 - 17:00

RISE - The Academy for Female Leaders and Managers
WENDY BOWERS RISE Illustrstion copy.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
02 Apr 2025 - 08 Oct 2025

RISE - The Academy for Female Leaders and Managers

East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce, Clayton le Moors, BB5 5JR

09:00 - 15:30

Planning for the future + navigating Inheritance Tax changes
Planning for the future + navigating Inheritance Tax changes for website.png.png
LBV Hub Seminars
01 May 2025 - 01 May 2025

Planning for the future + navigating Inheritance Tax changes

Stanley House Hotel, Mellor, Blackburn, BB2 7NP, Blackburn, BB2 7NP

08:00 - 10:30

Advantage: AI – A Workshop for Business Leaders – May 2
EV-land-2025-05B.png.png
LBV Hub Seminars
02 May 2025 - 02 May 2025

Advantage: AI – A Workshop for Business Leaders – May 2

Door4 Office, Burnley Wharf, Manchester Road, Burnley, BB11 1JG

09:00 - 11:00

A night at the races
1.png.png
LBV Hub Dinners / Balls
02 May 2025 - 02 May 2025

A night at the races

Morecambe FC, Morecambe, LA4 4TB

19:00 - 23:59

Research and Knowledge Exchange Showcase
13421_research_knowledge_exchange_2025_600x300.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Awards
07 May 2025 - 08 May 2025

Research and Knowledge Exchange Showcase

University of Central Lancashire , Preston, PR1 2HE

09:00 - 17:00

Innovating business solutions through PhD Partnerships
30478 Skills Bootcamp open day setting.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Networking
07 May 2025 - 07 May 2025

Innovating business solutions through PhD Partnerships

University of Central Lancashire, Preston , PR1 2HE

14:30 - 15:30

Advertise with us

Reaching 50,000 members, our print, digital and event platforms offer a fantastic way to raise your business profile and help you grow.

Find out more Lbv121 Online Graphic
Subscribe now

Weekly news bulletin