Nominet Awards deadline extended – last few days!
Last month we gave you a heads up about the pending closing date of the Nominet Awards 2012 being April 12th… well if you missed it you are in luck. The deadline has been extended by a few more days and entries now close on April 16th (on Monday). So don’t delay, get your application together and in over this weekend.
Have you got your Nominet Awards nomination in?
There’s less than a month left for entry submissions to the Nominet Internet Awards so what are you waiting for? The annual awards recognise and raise awareness of UK businesses, charities, individuals and public and private sector organisations that are making a difference on, or through, the internet. Every year the awards highlight the great work that embraces the web and finds solutions to the challenge of making the internet a secure, open, accessible and diverse experience for all. Last year’s winners included the Silver Surfers initiative that helped older people to get online, a web TV station aimed specifically at young British dads and an online tool to help schools review their own e-safety policies. If you think you have a project worthy of a nomination details about how to enter can be found here along with a full explanation of the categories. Don’t delay too long though entries need to be submitted by 12 April 2012 after which they will be reviewed by an independent panel of judges. The winners will be announced at the annual awards ceremony on 5 July 2012.
Video interview with Laura Rigney co-founder of MumpreneurUK
If you read our blog of yesterday you will know that we attended the very successful MumpreneurUK annual Conference and Awards over the weekend. While we were there, we caught up with co-founder Laura Rigney and asked her what MumpreneurUK is all about, why mumpreneurs are overcoming the current economic crisis and what it takes to be a successful mumpreneur. Don’t forget to check out the other videos on the 123-reg YouTube channel too.
Mumpreneurs are leading the way
If ever the politicians needed an example of how British resolve will pull the country clear of these sad ecomomic times, they needn’t look much further than the working mum (or dad). It sounds clichéd but most parents would do anything for their kids and whereas once that used to be taking on a couple of extra part-time jobs, many are now turning to starting up their own business, especially via the internet. 123-reg were lucky enough to be a sponsor at yesterday’s MumpreneurUK Annual Conference and Awards event and the creativity, positivity and passion in a room of 150 entrepreneurs (mainly mums, but a handful of dads too) was electrifying. The organisation set up by mums Laura Rigney and Amanda Farren in 2009 celebrates and supports mumpreneurs who they define as “a mum who juggles running a business with family life” and lets would be mumpreneurs know that starting a business is achievable, whatever your background. There were book publishers, book sellers, toy sellers, theatre groups, support organisations, PR gurus, keepsake producers and many, many more; all assembled to network, learn off inspirational speakers and seminar hosts but more importantly, they were there to celebrate each others success and support each other – there was a lot of love in the room. There was also a lot of positivity about how the internet has changed their lives and helped businesses compete and flourish. So many of those assembled were tweeting and connecting to the web that the in-house WiFi consistently crashing became a talking point of the day. There wasn’t one person there who didn’t already have a web presence and it was nice to meet with so many 123-reg customers with lots of positive stories of their dealings with us, but also to help solve some niggling issues about the next steps online for their business. It was a day of sharing knowledge and ideas all round. If you missed the event, have a look at the Twitter hashtag #mumpreneur11 to see what went on and we’ll be posting up our exclusive interview with MumpreneurUK founder Laura Rigney soon to, so watch this space. UPDATE 27/09/11: View the interview here. Finally, big congratulaions to Suzanne Dibble of Lawyers4mumpreneurs who won the Best Supporting Business Award sponsored by 123-reg and seemed a very popular winner.
Rewarding the top internet projects in the UK
It is that time of year when time is running out to get your nominations in for the five categories of the Nominet Internet Awards. The awards recognise achievements of organisations and individuals who have created projects that help make the internet a more inclusive, enjoyable and safer space for everyone. The five categories of the Nominet Internet Awards recognise achievements of organisations and individuals who lead the way to make the internet a more inclusive, enjoyable and safer space for everyone. The winners will gain plenty of Kudos and media coverage so consider if any of your projects fall within one of the five categories: 1. Building a networked nation – In association with Race Online 2012 Projects such as those enabling people to access the internet who may otherwise not have the opportunity. 2. Making the internet Safer – In association with Symantec Projects including tools to reduce criminal activity on the internet or those enabling people to protect themselves online. 3. Opening the world of knowledge – In association with the British Library Suitable candidates include those offering increased access to online materials, knowledge or information and / or using the internet to educate/train. 4. Empowering young people & citizens – In association with Childnet International Nominations are welcomed from those engaging with young people on internet issues, or offering public, or those simply ensuring that citizens’ voices are heard 5. Nurturing powerful local partnerships – In association with the National Council for Voluntary Organisations The final category includes those projects that make a difference in a local community with an online project, or use the Internet to bring a Community together. Full information on the categories and entry criteria can be found on the Nominet site and you can complete your entry here. But hurry nominations must be in by 28th April 2011.