BUDDING entrepreneurs in the Vale of White Horse are being urged to sign up for a new business support scheme and the chance to win £25,000 in a competition.

Spark Vale will offer access to expert advice for those dreaming of starting a business, as well as existing small companies.

It will give free business support seminars covering a range of topics with a host of experts lined up to help firms and individuals work on how to make their business ideas become a reality.

Jo Willett, marketing and business development director of Oxford Innovation which will run the scheme, said: “This is all about sparking entrepreneurialism and business growth by bringing people with ideas, plans and ambition together with those that want to offer up their experience, resources and expertise to help them get going.

“The competition will be a fitting finale and enable us to identify the district’s most exciting entrepreneurs in order to target extra support and resources for their success.”

Spark Vale has been funded by the Vale4Business partnership and parcel delivery specialist Bybox.

The competition will have three categories: Best Business Growth Idea, Best New Business Idea Under-25s and Best New Business Idea Over-25s.

Bybox managing director Stuart Miller said: “Spark Vale will give any entrepreneur a head start and increase the likelihood of turning a business idea into a profitable reality.”

Spark Vale will run until November with the first seminar, a finance and funding workshop, taking place on Wednesday, June 11.

For more information, visit sparkvale.co.uk