Insider Media Limited

Businesses, entrepreneurs, charities and social enterprises from Wolverhampton and Shropshire have less than three weeks to get their entries in for the Morgan Foundation Entrepreneur Awards 2011.

The event, now in its fifth year, has £115,000 in cash prizes and services up for grabs. There are seven categories, including a new category for 2011 aimed at young entrepreneurs with a new business idea.

The awards are also searching for businesses that have made an economic or social contribution to the region, while the Against All Odds category invites applications from individual entrepreneurs or businesses that have overcome extreme adversity on the path to success.

Entrants have until 2 September to submit their applications. The winners and runners-up will be announced live at a gala awards dinner at the Carden Park Hotel in Cheshire on 10 November.

Steve Morgan, chairman of Flintshire housebuilder Redrow and founder of the Morgan Foundation Entrepreneur Awards, said: "Unlike many others these awards offer substantial cash prizes, so the winners and runners-up get more than just a pat on the back, they get a capital injection that can make a real difference to their businesses.

"We’ve always had a young entrepreneur category and this year, with youth unemployment at its highest since records began, it’s timely that we have a brand new Award for youngsters with a good business idea.

"If there aren’t the jobs out there, let’s encourage them to help themselves and, maybe, become the employers of the future."

The awards are open to businesses, entrepreneurs, charities and social enterprises located in Merseyside, west Cheshire, Shropshire, North Wales and the Wolverhampton area.

The main sponsor is Redrow, co-sponsors and event partners are Deloitte, Brabners Chaffe Street, Liverpool Vision, DRP Group, Insider Media, Public Image and NMC Design+Print.