THE first round of judging has taken place and the shortlist is in for the prestigious Local business Accelerators awards 2011.

The Daily Echo-backed awards are seeking out the top new businesses with the best potential in this region.

The prize is three months’ worth of advertising for the businesses that most impress the judges with their initiative, verve and potential.

Not only will the winners receive valuable in-paper and on-line advertising but they will receive hands-on mentoring from three local Business leaders: Mike Wright, Chairman of Hampshire Fare’ Trevor Thorne, Director of Marketing and Communications at Solent University; and Maureen Frost Director of Operations at Hampshire Chamber. The judging panel also includes Southern Daily Echo Editor in Chief Ian Murray.

What is more, one winner picked from these regional heats will have the chance to be personally mentored by Dragons’ Den judge Deborah Meaden.

The awards, backed by the Prime Minister David Cameron, are part of a £15m national initiative to get local business working from the Newspaper Society.

To enter businesses had to be a minimum of one year old and a maximum of three and show genuine promise.

Shortlist

• Aria Compressed Air Solutions. Based in Romsey the engineering company has a turnover of £500,000 and employs six people..

• Celiacs Fayre. Based in Twyford, the firm and offers gluten and wheat free retail products and runs a café.

• Eco Car Care. This company employs five people and runs an environmentally friendly car wash in Winchester that runs without any water.

• Firepits UK Ltd. Based in Southampton, the firm employes just one person, and offers gas firepits.

• Glow and Co. Based in Lymington, the firm employs six people and offers gifts ideas on-line.

• Sofpave. With the exclusive rights to distribute a new form of block paving in the UK, the firm is based in Eastleigh and as yet employ no one directly.

• The Yes Yes Company. With six employees, the company is based in Alton and sells organic body care products.

• WOW Carpet Cleaning. Employing two people, the company is based in Southampton and bases its standards on that of top hotels.

The shortlisted finalists will now be visited by members of the Local Business Accelerators awards judging panel before the final three winners are announced in the Daily Echo in January.