Your Questions Answered

Any business based in Cornwall or Isles of Scilly can enter the awards. We welcome entries from businesses of any size from any sector. Some categories might have their additional eligibility criteria, so check these before starting your entry.

Submit your entry online by midnight on the advertised closing date. (into the next morning). The online entry platform will then close and we cannot accept late entries under any circumstances.

The entry process is all online. You will create an account for your business and then you can choose up to two categories to enter. First complete the About Your Business section, which covers basic background information and contact information. You will need to submit this before you can submit your category entries.

Each category has a description showing what the judges are looking for and the questions you will need to answer. To enter simply select the award categories you would like to apply for, then complete the online entry form and submit the entries from the dashboard.

Tip: We strongly recommend writing your entry in a word document first, then copy and paste your final submission into the online form.

There are no categories where you can enter on behalf of a third-party business. However, we recommend contacting businesses directly to encourage them to apply for an award.

It is completely free to enter!

The business information section needs to be submitted before your entries can be submitted. Complete all the information on that section and submit and then try again to submit your entry. If you are still having problems please jump on the web chat during office hours.

You will be notified by email when we receive your entry. Automatic emails are delivered from hello@cornwallbusinessawards.co.uk. Other email communication is from the organisers The Growth and Skills Hub. We recommend that you whitelist hello@cornwallbusinessawards.co.uk  and emails with the url @ciosgrowthhub.com.

Judging will then take place for the month after the closing date. 

There is a three-stage judging process for the Awards. An initial round of scoring is completed by representatives from the organisers. They will identify the top six in each award category. The shortlist entries will automatically go forward to a second round where a panel of three independent judges for each award will score each entry. These include a representative from the sponsor for each category plus two other judges. Scores from each judging panel will be collated to determine the Finalists. In the event of a tie, a winner will be determined by the organisers based on the overall score and in consultation with the sponsor judge if necessary.

The finalists are then invited to attend Showdown Day, where two independent judges plus the sponsor judges meet the finalists in each category to ask them further questions before deciding on an overall winner.

We recommend reading all the categories and questions before deciding which to enter. Take note of the category criteria to ensure you have a relevant product, service or business story for that award. We limit the number of awards you can enter to two, so please choose carefully.

Information supplied in the entry form is completely confidential and will not be published or shared with third parties outside the judging process. All judges must agree a confidentiality statement before they are given access to entries online.

After the finalists are announced, users will be contacted to view feedback direct from the judges on their online account for each entry.

Finalists of each category will be announced following the first stages of the judging process. This will be through a press release and in partnership with sponsors Business Cornwall and Pirate FM as well as across our social media channels.

All finalists are given a finalist logo and a copy of the press release to distribute to their media channels and customer / partner networks to optimise their recognition.

Winners will be announced at a Gala dinner, date to be confirmed. Each winner will be presented with a trophy and celebrating with the local business community. Winners will also receive the press release and winner logo for their award category, for use online. This is customisable using the judge’s comments from the winner’s announcement video, which will be shared on YouTube, and photo from the ceremony which will be available on the morning after the event. We encourage winners to publish on their website and distribute to their media channels and customer networks.

After the finalists are announced the public vote will open for the People’s Choice. Voting will take place here on our website.  There is no cost for voting and no contact details are taken. Voting is restricted to one vote per device. Voting will remain open on awards night with the winner announced during the event. The finalist with the highest number of votes is the winner. In the event of a tie the winner will be determined by the organisers in consultation with a member of the judging panel. Full terms and conditions can be found here.

Each finalist will be provided social media assets to help promote their business and the vote.

Finalists are not obliged to attend the awards dinner, but it does provide an opportunity to celebrate achievements with their team, clients and the business community. All finalists are encouraged to attend to ensure a representative is available for the trophy presentation plus photo, film and PR opportunities on the night.

If you would like to attend the awards outside of entering, please contact us to find out availability. 

The Cornwall Business Awards are organised by The Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Growth and Skills Hub. The Growth Hub works with local businesses, to help them get where they want to be. We’re like a fresh pair of eyes, an independent view to help businesses become more efficient, attract new customers and grow. Even as a successful company, with a free Business Review we can signpost you to support for everything from strategy and leadership to marketing and finance.

The Skills Hub can help you develop your staff team by giving them the skills they need to help your business thrive. With a free Skills Review we’ll uncover the skills that your business needs, then using our expert knowledge we’ll introduce you to the right, cost-effective training for your team.