Employment launches a new edition of the contest that rewards the best entrepreneurial ideas

After two years without convening due to the pandemic, the Department of Employment and Local Development resumes the Entrepreneurial Ideas Contest, through which "the best viable business projects that help boost and diversify the productive fabric of Benidorm" are awarded. as explained by the mayor of the area, Mónica Gómez, who has stressed that "this initiative contributes to promoting an entrepreneurial culture and presenting self-employment as a viable option for job placement."

The councillor highlighted that "as in previous editions, the Employment and Local Development Agency has for this contest the support of business entities and institutions committed to entrepreneurship such as  Rotary Club Benidorm, Valencian Institute of Tourism Technologies (Invat•tur ), European Center for Innovative Companies (CEEI-Elche), Association of Women Entrepreneurs of the Marina Baixa (MEMBA), and JOVEMPA-Marina Baixa”.

Gómez explained that "the bases of this edition, number 16, have already been approved by the Local Government Board and published today in the Official Gazette of the Province (BOP), which sets in motion the calendar for the presentation of proposals”.

Thus, interested persons or groups may submit their proposal from tomorrow, Saturday, April 23, until May 31, electronically at the Electronic Office of the City Council (https://sede.benidorm.org), through the section General Registry. As established in the bases, available on the Notice Board of the Venue itself, only one project may be submitted by a natural or legal person.

All proposals will be evaluated in the first phase to verify that they meet the requirements established on the bases.

In a second phase, the jury will evaluate each of the projects, assessing the following criteria: innovation, economic viability, technical feasibility, knowledge of the potential market and development of the activity in Benidorm. The projects presented by people registered in Benidorm will have a starting score in this phase, as will the groups in which at least half of their members meet the registration requirement.

In the third and final phase, the selected ideas will be presented to the jury, which will assess both the presentation and the originality of the project.

In this edition of the Contest, the City Council has planned to award two prizes and two-second prizes for a total amount of 5,000 euros. Specifically, the best business idea will receive a prize of 2,500 euros; while a 2nd prize valued at 1,500 euros is foreseen, as well as two-second prizes of 500 euros for the project with the greatest social responsibility and with the greatest tourist promotion, respectively. In addition, any of the first two prizes will have the option of being able to start at l'Espai Coworking of the Employment and Local Development Agency. Likewise, the winning idea will have a free year as a member of Jovempa; and the winning projects lent by women, to MEMBA.

Added to these awards is a newly created award, the 'Batiste Fuster' Award, granted by the Rotary Club Benidorm, endowed with 2,000 euros. This award will go to the project that best contemplates the aspects of accessibility, solidarity, quality, sustainability, innovation and creativity.

Gómez has indicated that "this Contest reinforces one of the main lines of action of the Employment and Local Development Agency of Benidorm City Council: support for entrepreneurs who want to start up a business idea in the city".