The 2016 Startups Awards are now open for entries, with a judging panel made up of high profile business experts including Cath Kidston MBE, Emma Sinclair MBE and the co-founders of Innocent Drinks, LOVEFiLM and Secret Escapes. The Startups Awards previous winners include the likes of Notonthehighstreet.com, Ella's Kitchen and last year's winner Purplebricks. The awards are open to all independently owned UK businesses that started after 1 August 2012 and will be accepting entries until 16 September.

A shortlist of entrants will be announced on 10 October, before the awards are presented to winners on 17 November at a dinner at Royal Garden Hotel, London. 

This year's awards offer opportunities for every type of business, including 15 different categories: Sage Startups Business of the Year; App of the Year; Crowdfunded Business of the Year; Export Business of the Year; Franchisee of the Year; Innovative Business of the Year; Lean Start-up of the Year; Product Business of the Year; Retail Business of the Year; Service Business of the Year; Tech Business of the Year; Venture Funded Business of the Year; Women in Business Award; and Young Entrepreneur of the Year. The final category is the People's Champion Award where a shortlist of 50 start-ups are selected by the judging panel and then put to the public vote.

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