Last year I entered the Make Your Mark in the Markets Competition. I got through to the trading round  I even got to meet the Mayor of Bridport! Unfortunately though due to the loss of funding Enterprise UK will no longer be running this competition.

But good news! NMTF felt that with a few tweaks the competition can be more sustainable and really benefit the markets industry, local community and most importantly you or someone you know.

So welcome to First Pitch, the successor to Make Your Mark in the Markets. Budding entrepreneurs and would-be traders from across the UK have a unique opportunity to trade for free at a local market. This is a great opportunity to have a go at testing your business idea with minimal financial risk to you.

The competition is open to anyone over 16 years of age, so if you make jewellery, cakes, design clothes or ceramics etc and sell to friends, ever wanted to be your own boss or want to turn a hobby into a business, then this is for you.

Accepted entrants will receive up to five days test trading on a market.

Judges will then choose up to 50 finalists, who will receive:

• 12 months reduced rent on a market pitch – great business opportunity.
• Free NMTF First training manual worth £100
• Free NMTF membership that includes the necessary business insurance

At the end of the year’s trading the judges will choose an overall winner who will receive £2,000 cash to spend on improving their business. But really all the finalists will be winners, because hopefully over those months they will have established successful businesses.

If the above has got you thinking about making your business idea a reality then check out our website – http://www.nmtf.co.uk – and click on the First Pitch logo, where you can apply online. Closing date for entries is April 29th 2011.

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