On 12 March 2008 the Government launched a new Enterprise Strategy. The Strategy's central vision is to make the UK the most enterprising economy in the world and the best place to start and grow a business. It is designed to unlock the nation's entrepreneurial talents; boost enterprise skills and knowledge; help new and existing business get funding to start up and grow; and ease the burden of regulation - particularly on small firms which feel its impacts most.

Enterprising Britain 2008

Enterprising Britain is a nationwide competition to find the most enterprising place in the UK - a location where enterprise has helped transform a community and led to improved economic prospects for the area. The competition is now in its fourth year and is a key part of the Government's drive to increase rates of entrepreneurial activity in the UK. 
 
The winner of the South West regional heat was Plymouth's Business Growth project. The particular success of the project, which was well conveyed during the regional competition and when a member of the national judging panel visited the region, was the city's common sense of purpose and shared goal of making Plymouth the enterprise capital of the South West. Partners from across the city have been working jointly to achieve this goal via activities including: 
 
- The Plymouth Summer Festival 
- Business support in deprived areas 
- An Entrepreneurs Bootcamp 
- Enterprise Week - greatest number of events and activities in the region 
 
The UK competition will culminate with an awards ceremony in October 2008 when the overall national winner will be announced. All regional winners will be invited to the ceremony and will receive a winner's trophy. We will let you know how Plymouth faired. 
 
Make Your Mark have responsibility for running the competition, on behalf of the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (DBERR), by working in close partnership with the Regional Development Agencies (RDAs) and the Devolved Administrations of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. For further information visit www.enterprisingbritain.org.uk 
 
The competition is also used to identify the UK entries to the European Enterprise Awards, details of which can be found on the EC Enterprise and Industry pages. 
 
The 2008 competition is now closed for applications. We look forward to uncovering and promoting the best of the region's entrepreneurial talent when the 2009 competition opens, details of which will appear on this site in due course.