FIVE of the region’s most promising businesses yesterday put forward their cases to become finalists in a North- East entrepreneurial challenge.

The faces behind each of the ventures pitched to a panel of business experts in the hope their companies would win this year’s If We Can, You Can challenge.

The challenge, run by the Entrepreneurs’ Forum and supported by The Northern Echo, received scores of entries from businesses across the region, and yesterday heard from the five finalists.

The finalists, all of whom are based in County Durham, stand to win a prize including £5,000 of business support and ongoing mentoring from some of the region’s most successful entrepreneurs.

They are:

● Linda Britton, from Newton Aycliffe, who is launching female- focused Simply Feminine Television;

● Corrina James, from Coxhoe, who has developed expandable hygiene wipes;

● Vicky Lloyd, from Darlington, who runs craft business NEDay Crafts;

● Charlotte Nichols, from Darlington, who runs PR agency Harvey and Hugo;

● Helen and Eddie Proudman, from Newton Aycliffe, who design and manufacture contemporary skirting boards, doors and door frames.

Each delivered a 30-minute pitch to the judges, and with the theme of the sessions being “Pick Our Brains”, entrants were given the opportunity to ask questions of the panel.

The judging panel comprised:

● Nickie Gott, founder and managing director of Durham City events company She’s Gott It;

● Claire Mitchell, co-founder of men’s make-up business astonmitchell, based in Bowes, County Durham, who was the runner-up of last year’s If We Can, You Can challenge

● Paul Moore, chairman of Darlington-based TMS Maintenance Ltd and Cold Storage Solutions;

● Nigel Burton, assistant editor of The Northern Echo;

● Colum Smith, from the Entrepreneurs’ Forum.

The judges said they were impressed with the knowledge and business acumen of all five finalists, and that the final two will be revealed later in the week.

Mrs Mitchell, who also runs Darlington-based marketing agency Claire Mitchell Consultancy, said she understood how daunting it was to pitch, having been on the other side of the table last year.

“I was so impressed by the finalists – they sparked a great deal of discussion among the judges,” she said.

“We saw some amazing businesses with fantastic potential and we could see how passionate the entrepreneurs were about their ideas.

“I imagine that we will see several of those companies hitting the headlines with big success stories over the next year or two.”

Mr Burton said: “Clearly, despite the recession, the region’s entrepreneurial spirit is alive and well.”