Newcastle-based fintech giant Sage, an official partner of The Hundred cricket project, has launched a competition for one small business owner to win a £60,000 package that includes coverage at matches.

The winner will receive twelve months’ worth of prizes and support, including hospitality and match tickets, mentoring from Sage small business experts and the England and Wales Cricket Board, access to high profile cricket talent to help promote their business, as well as publicity and brand exposure, worth over £50,000, at cricket grounds around the UK.

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The chosen small business owner will also be given a £10,000 business grant. Ten runners up will benefit from hospitality and networking opportunities at this year’s tournament.

Sage, the global technology leader, is using its partnership with The Hundred to reward a small business with regional and national promotional opportunities designed to help their business grow. Broad – who is currently competing for England in The Ashes – is a small business owner himself as part-owner of two pubs in Nottinghamshire, one of which reopened a week ago.

Stuart Broad said: “Harry Gurney and I, as business partners, have directly experienced the many issues facing small business owners across the nation, especially with the pandemic’s blow and incidents like a fire at one of our pubs.

"We get how crucial it is for small business owners to receive guidance and publicity. This competition from Sage is great because it not only provides financial assistance but also mentoring, networking and opportunities that could make a huge difference for a business."

Small businesses will be given the opportunity to showcase their business to a judging panel including the ECB and Sage. Entries are encouraged from across the small business community including retailers, service providers, accountants and not for profits.

Cath Keers, CMO at Sage, said: “At Sage, we understand what it takes to be a successful small business - after all, that’s how we started. That’s why we’re working with The Hundred to offer a small business owner the support and insights they need. The competition prize will help elevate their business and expand their reach, which we hope will make a big difference to them.”

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James Brown, Head of Commercial for The Hundred, said: “Small businesses are hugely important for our communities across England and Wales and it is brilliant to see that Sage, through their partnership with The Hundred, are offering opportunities like this to help them grow.

"For the winning small business, it will be exciting to see their logo displayed at venues next season as The Hundred continues to make cricket more accessible and reach new audiences."

Small business owners can access the details at www.sage.com/en-gb/company/corporate-partnerships/the-hundred/competition/