AN ART Gallery, a couture fashion company and electrical maintenance firm have made it to the final three-strong shortlist to win £20,000 of investment in the Daily Echo backed Aon Business Accelerator competition.

The finalists are Calmore electrics company Electracare, Southampton art firm The Art House and New Forest based online fashion company Calm Amongst the Chaos.

The Business Accelerator competition challenges fledgling companies to show how they can make the best use of a £10,000 cash lump sum.

The best business plan wins the cash and a further £10,000 worth of advice - both from business experts at Aon Commercial Lines.

The competition, the first of its kind in the region, aims to highlight the wealth of entrepreneurial talent in Hampshire.

The judging of the shortlist will be conducted by the Business Accelerator panel of Rosemary Gilmour, director of Aon's commercial insurance arm; David Tipple, a partner at Grant Thornton and president of the Southampton and Fareham Chamber of Commerce and Gareth Lewis, Business Editor of the Southern Daily Echo.

The winner will be announced on Friday, May 4.

Rosemary Gilmour, Director of Aon Commercial Lines said: "These three companies are brilliant showcases for the entrepreneurial talent in the southern area and illustrate the breadth of industries that are flourishing around Southampton.

Support' "Aon is delighted to offer the Business Accelerator programme and show its support for the area.

"It has been here for more than 18 years. The significant investment we will make in the winning business should help it through the first stages of growth.

"Coupled with the advice and services of our business experts, the winner should be able to develop quickly and negotiate difficult commercial decisions.

"This is an incredible opportunity for business in the Southampton area."