Tata Steel subsidiary UKSE is all set to give a local business a boost in the New Year.

The initiative will mean that a young, dynamic business in Blaenau Gwent will have the chance to win a free furnished office, including services, for a year worth up to £5,000.

UKSE, which owns and runs the prestigious Ebbw Vale Innovation Centre, has launched a competition to give a business a special boost during 2021, with a free office and use of the centre’s high-tech facilities for 12 months.

Glyn Thomas, UKSE manager in Wales, said: “Given the terrible conditions that have faced businesses in 2020, we wanted to do something to provide support to a local business in the coming year.”

Entrants are asked to make a short written ‘pitch’ about their business. This should outline the central idea of the business and a brief plan for its development in the future.

The winner could be a business just starting, in its early days or ready for expansion. It may have a great idea and a sound business plan, but is finding it difficult to find suitable premises. Or it might be an established business that needs a larger office and an impressive environment for visiting clients.

UKSE supports businesses with finance packages, ranging from a few thousand pounds to £1,000,000, and quality premises to help them create jobs and wealth in steel areas.

The winner will move into a 180sq ft ground floor office in EVIC 2 at the Innovation Centre, or claim an equivalent benefit for a larger office in the Centre.

Tailored specifically to SMEs, this prize valued at £5,000 offers a state-of-the-art working environment for the winner with no rent or business rates to pay for one year.

Some EVIC tenants are also numbered among the many new and growing businesses that have secured investments from UKSE and, if the winning business meets the criteria, it would also be able to apply for financial backing.

The competition is not open to existing tenants of UKSE business premises. Interested applicants are asked to submit their business idea/plan and also describe how winning this competition would benefit their business. Judges’ decision is final.

In the first instance please apply to ebbwvale@ukse.co.uk for an entry form and copy of the terms and conditions. Closing date is December 31, 2020.