A new competition is offering UK start-ups and small businesses the chance to trade on London's busiest shopping street.
Adobe and Enterprise Nation have partnered to launch the Small Business Goes Big competition, which will give 20 winners the chance to sell directly to shoppers on Oxford Street.
The competition will see 20 small businesses retail at 58 Oxford Street for a day each between 17 and 26 May 2023; with two brands sharing the space at a time. Each winner will also receive dedicated business support and mentoring to ensure they are high-street ready.
"Today's fresh brands often start out life online, and are increasingly finding that a key way to build a sustainable online community and following is to get out there onto the high street and meet their customers face-to-face. Pop-up shops and short-term spaces offer an important break to small product-based businesses, opening up a new route to market and it also paves the way for bringing fresh innovation to the great British high street." Emma Jones, founder and ceo of Enterprise Nation
Creating a brand identity
Small Business Goes Big was developed by Enterprise Nation and Adobe to help business owners update their brand identity and reach more buyers and customers. To win, businesses must create a web page using Adobe Express - a free web and mobile app that allows anyone to create content in minutes, without the need for any design or editing experience.
Simon Morris, vp international marketing at Adobe, said: "Visual branding is crucial for a small business; more than just logos and colours, it represents the identity of a business and gives it personality. With social media, consumers are exposed to new brands and products every day - so standing out from the crowd is more vital than ever.
"We're excited to be continuing the Small Business Goes Big initiative, giving entrepreneurs the opportunity to get their business in front of so many new potential customers, and look forward to seeing the growth of these small businesses following the competition."
How to enter
The competition closes at midnight on 24 April. Entries will be judged based on originality, effective use of Adobe Express, overall quality and business suitability. Winners will be notified on or around 5 May 2023.
To qualify, small businesses must be based in the UK, have fewer than 20 employees and be registered as either a limited company with Companies House or as a sole trader with HMRC and have a unique tax reference (UTR).
Written by Rachel Miller.