A great number of local businesses have applied to Coras2013 for 10,000 cash and mentoring for a year.
Shawn Khorassani, local businessman, began Coras as an initiative to help start-up businesses with both investment and business advice. He said: ‘We are very pleased with the response from the local entrepreneurs. It is encouraging to see not only the great number of applicants but also the variety of industries starting up in the Newbury area.’Debi Richens who founded Fitelle explained how she first learned about Coras: ‘It was a newspaper headline that instantly grabbed our attention. On reading further, Shawn’s genuine passion for business came across so enthusiastically that such a fantastic opportunity just couldn’t be missed. Offering start-ups such as ours the chance to gain invaluable advice, as we begin to carve out our niche in the business world, from a man so confident that he’s prepared to put his money where his mouth is, has to be for most, a once in a life time opportunity.’ Fitelle provides bespoke bra tailoring service from measuring and pattern drafting to design and bra creation. £10,000 cash and business mentoring would help Fitelle make their mark in the world.Sharon Moore of Baby Ballerinas applied to Coras2013 to further develop her business of informal fun filled dance classes for 2-6 year olds where children learn basic ballet posture through familiar songs and actions.
Another application was received from Natalie Ash who started her company Fields of Fun in August 2012. She is hoping to secure the financial support and expertise of Shawn Khorassani to expand her business providing bespoke countryside breaks.
A local couple, Gary and Julia Brown of Track Your Ltd, are competing for the Coras 2013 award with their range of tracking devices. The goal of Track Your Ltd is to provide monitoring solutions which give parents and carers the confidence to give their loved ones the independence they deserve.
Coras has received an overwhelming number of applications. The winner will be announced at the red-carpet award ceremony on 2nd May 2013 at the Hilton Newbury Centre Hotel. Applicants can still apply via www.coras.me.
