In the running for award

AN Oldham company has been shortlisted in the Best Start-Up Business category of the Venturefest Manchester 2017 Innovation Showcase contest.

Energy provider Energi Mine, based at Metropolitan House in Oldham town centre, is one of five north-west businesses shortlisted for the award and a business support prize worth £20,000. Organised by Greater Manchester Business Growth Hub, the competition is one of the highlights of the Venturefest Manchester 2017 programme, sponsored by NatWest, Lombard, Avensure, Appleyard Lees, Catax and Pomegranate.

Shortlisted businesses will now receive pitching advice and support by finance specialists from the Growth Hub and make a short three-minute presentation at Venturefest Manchester, held at Manchester's Bridgewater Hall on September 14. More than £1million of funding offers have been made to almost 90 small and medium-sized businesses who entered last year's competition, the Growth Hub said.