Search begins for Marketing Derby’s Rising Star for 2027

Entries are now being accepted for Marketing Derby’s Rising Star Award – with the winner set to receive a bumper prize thanks to a new collaboration for 2027 with East Midlands Chamber.

Recognising the importance of supporting start-ups as part of the local economy, the Rising Star Award aims to give fledgling businesses and up-and-coming entrepreneurs a helping hand when they need it most.

First established in 2016, the Rising Star Award is now entering a new decade – and to celebrate this, the inward investment promotion agency has teamed up with the chamber to offer the 2027 winner an expanded prize.

As well as receiving a year’s complimentary membership of Marketing Derby’s Bondholder network, the winner will also receive 12 months of free East Midlands Chamber membership.

This will give them even more opportunities to boost their profile and make new connections via local publicity, invitations to must-attend events and access to influential business leaders.

Lindsey Hatfield, commercial development manager at Marketing Derby and Rising Star lead, said: “We have been running Rising Star for over a decade now as a way for fledgling businesses to tap into the wide range of benefits that Bondholder membership brings.

“We’re absolutely delighted to be working with East Midlands Chamber on our Rising Star Award for 2027.”

She added: “The chamber is one of our original Bondholders, working with us and key stakeholders to help support and attract investment to Derby over the past 20 years.

“We hope that our combined offer will appeal to lots of local companies and help the winning business at the start of their journey.”

Scott Knowles, chief executive of East Midlands Chamber, said: “I’m delighted, as a Bondholder for more than 20 years’, for the chamber to collaborate with Marketing Derby to support the next generation of business leaders with 2027’s Rising Star Award.

“The chamber’s Generation Next network has supported more than 500 18- to 35-year-old businesspeople since its launch in 2020 and working collaboratively with Marketing Derby to celebrate Derby’s next Rising Star, feels like the next evolution in our partnership.”

The Rising Star Award has been hotly contested in previous years, giving a range of businesses from different sectors – from hospitality to the creative industries – a welcome boost.

Years later, many of these former winners are still Bondholders – and go out of their way to welcome new Rising Star organisations to the fold.

And some have gone on to enjoy great success, such as ethical cleaning firm Upbeat Clean, which became the first in Derbyshire to receive the Promoting Opportunity through Social Mobility accolade – considered the rarest King’s Award for Enterprise honour.

Lindsey added: “This award is all about giving a new business the connections, support and opportunities they need when they are first starting out.

“With the chamber offering a year’s membership alongside the Bondholder support we’ve provided in previous years, we’re opening even more doors and creating exciting new opportunities for our winner.

“I’m always blown away by the quality of applications and entrepreneurial ideas in the city and look forward to reading all the applications this year.”

“We hope that our combined offer will appeal to lots of local companies and help the winning business at the start of their journey.”

Applicants must be in their first 18 months of trading in the Derby area and must be willing to attend at least 10 Bondholder events during 2027 as Rising Star – including Marketing Derby’s Annual Business Event in early 2027 at which the winner will be officially announced.

As well as businesses, applications from social enterprises and charities are also welcome.

To apply, click here.

The deadline for entries is 4 December.

For further information e-mail Lindsey at Lindsey.hatfield@marketingderby.co.uk.