Are you Britain’s best entrepreneur?

The application process for the Business Matters sponsored ‘The Pitch 2010’ is now open. The competition will once again be scouring the country, visiting five major cities (London, Edinburgh, Liverpool, Birmingham and Bristol) and hearing pitches from aspiring new entrepreneurs, eager to get their hands on a massive prize package and this year’s title of Britain’s best new business.

Last year’s winner Anthony Lau, inventor of the Cyclehoop, made it through the tough South East regional heat to pitch in front of a star-studded panel including ex-TV Dragon Doug Richard, The Apprentice winner Tim Campbell and the millionaire founder of Pimlico Plumbers Charlie Mullins. Despite several probing questions about his finances, Lau, who has won £50,000 worth of business support, coped well with the tense cross-examination and impressed with a list of orders from local councils around the UK. You can watch Anthony and the five other finalists pitching on The Pitch 2010 website.

“I pitched against some really great businesses and entrepreneurs in both the regional and the grand final,” Lau said. “To win the Pitch 2009 is a great honour and the fantastic package of prizes will give my company the support and boost it needs to take it to the next level. Doug Richard told me he now expects a lot from me so just a little pressure from an ex-dragon!”

Doug Richard is on board for 2010’s competition, and will be judging at the South East heat on 15 July as well as the grand final. This year The Pitch is running as part of The Business Factory, a larger initiative aimed at supporting entrepreneurs, providing advice and guidance in many areas of running a small business. The grand final will take place at the Business Factory event in November, where top entrepreneurs from around the UK will gather to share their experiences and insights with attendees.

If you or someone you know has what it takes to step up in front of an expert judging panel and pitch their business idea without cracking under the pressure, get involved in The Pitch 2010 today.

To Apply click HERE