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The winners of the 2009 Morgan Foundation Entrepreneur Awards were announced in a gala awards ceremony at Carden Park Hotel, Chester. The winners and runners up in the six categories won a total of £100k plus a package of valuable professional services, including free banking advice from the main sponsor Barclays Commercial Bank. To read more click here.

At the Awards Ceremony both John Powell of Barclays Commercial Bank and Steve Morgan praised the quality of entries from all of the runners-up and highly commended finalists.

To find out more about them click here.

The entrants through to the final round of judging for the 2009 Morgan Foundation Entrepreneur Awards have been decided. With a record number of entries, the judging process was very difficult. Click here for a list of all the finalists.

Carl Wong set up Curiosity Research to be the action-orientated research consultancy he always wanted to work with, but rarely found, as a client-side buyer. Established just over three years ago, since winning the Award, Curosity Research has continued to move forward despite the very challenging economic conditions. The company specialises in market research, competitor intelligence, facilitation, strategy and new product development as well as helping companies to harness the power of understanding their customers and markets.

Following the award, one new full time person has been recruited to the business, taking the number of employees to eleven. They are also recruiting for two more part time posts which will enable them to develop a more steady income stream through ‘wholesale’ activities supporting other research agencies, such as their monthly Small Business Survey as well as promoting the service to potential clients through telemarketing activities.

The prize money has enabled Curiosity Research to invest in an improved website and marketing materials, including moving into the area of online discussion forums and bulletin boards which previously they had been unable to exploit due to a lack of online capability. Read more

Founded by Kate Gorst, Altru Drama is a ‘theatre in education’ company delivering high quality, sustainable drama performances and workshops. The company was born out of a desire to use drama as a tool for social and personal change. Its mission is to enable individuals and communities to deliver a message effectively, build confidence and self esteem, encourage cohesion and, above all, to develop their understanding of themselves and the world around them.

Kate details how the prize money has helped expand the business: “With the prize money we won from the Morgan Foundation we have looked to expand the business by developing one of our projects and showcasing it to a larger audience. More.

Founded in 1995 by a group of residents from the area of All Saints in Wolverhampton who were angry at the decline of their local economy and lack of opportunities for their young people, All Saints Action Network now runs four businesses and a range of community projects. If offers traineeships and volunteering schemes, has built an all weather flood-lit sports facility and this year has created a managed workspace in a former primary school.

Trendy Vend, founded by Kayleigh and Talia Baccino, were the winners of the Best YoungEntrepreneur category in 2008.

Trendy Vend produce stylish vending machines for the female washroom. The machines incorporate an LCD advertising screenthat canbe used for advertising orto support public awareness campaigns. A very new business, Trendy Vend has been able to expand its custom built installations, with seven more coming on line in new venues in May 2009. One of these will be a prototype for a male version. Read more

Last year, the Against All Odds prize of £25,000 was awarded to Charlotte Hollins of Fordhall Farm.

The farm in North Shropshire, on which her late father was a tenant, was saved from development in June 2006 when over 8000 people purchased non-profit making £50 shares. Now owned by its shareholders, the land and house are leased to Ben and Charlotte Hollins, whilst the Fordhall Community Land Initiative utilises the same land for community benefit through events, volunteering and educational visits.

Charlotte Hollins, project director reports, “The Fordhall Community Land Initiative received great press from the awards and this served as a great benefit to our future progression. Read more.

Steve Morgan has launched The Morgan Foundation Entrepreneur Awards 2009, with over £100,000 of cash prizes and services on offer to the winners. Now in their third year, the Awards are open to charities, social enterprises, businesses and entrepreneurs from Merseyside, Cheshire, Shropshire, North Wales and the Wolverhampton area. Read more

Speaking at the launch, Steve Morgan said: "I'm confident that, despite the current economic climate, the entries for the Awards are going to be better than ever. It's in tough times that entrepreneurship really comes to the fore. We are looking for businesses and individuals who have got a sound plan and the grit and determination to make it succeed."

Businesses and charities share £105,000 prize pot