THERE’S only one day left before entries close so emerging companies wanting to take part in the Worcester News Business Accelerators 2012 competition need to get in the fast lane now.

To miss out on this News-paper Society organised initiative would be to pass by a tremendous opportunity to boost a business in very challenging times.

As well as gaining a whole host of advantages, the Worcestershire winner will go forward to compete at national level where the prizes are serious business indeed.

The overall UK winner will receive free membership of the CBI for a year, free business advice from the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, which is valued at £2,000, and an iPad from Freeagent, which is also offering a year’s free access to its accountancy software to each of the national finalists which is worth £300 per finalist.

BT is also offering free business broadband and wifi access for a year, including a wireless router and free installation, and the design and management of a website for e-commerce.

That’s in addition to the competition’s main prize of mentoring from the campaign’s national ambassador Deborah Meaden, of Dragons’ Den, and a free ad campaign in local newspapers, which for Worcestershire entries will be the Worcester News. The Business Growth Fund has also contributed £10,000 for the overall winner.

“The Business Accelerators campaign provides a tremendous boost for emerging local companies,” said Worcester News editor Peter John.

“We don’t want anyone to miss out on what could be the business opportunity of a lifetime.”

Business Accelerators is setting out to find the top three local companies bet-ween one and three-years-old and is once again being backed by the Herefordshire and Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce, which is offering free membership for the overall Worcestershire winner plus support, advice and guidance.

It is also being supported by the Worcestershire Local Enterprise Partnership and leading regional law firm Harrison Clark, which will offer legal advice to the winning companies through Rebecca Leask, senior associate in its corporate team.

The competition is open to all businesses that are active in their community, between one and three-years-old and full of potential. Visit accelerateme.co.uk for more information about the scheme and how to enter.