We can today announce the winners of the ‘If we can, you can’ Challenge 2011, the North East’s regional business competition which celebrates entrepreneurship.

Click here to see who won

Carole Beverly, CEO of the Entrepreneurs’ Forum said: “I am delighted for all the winners and I offer my congratulations to them for being named as this year’s ‘Faces of Entrepreneurship’. I would also like to say well done to all the runners up for making it to the final stages of the Challenge, this year has been very competitive and to be chosen as a finalist is a credit to their business.

“This was the fourth year of the ‘If we can, you can’ Challenge and judging by the high level of votes cast for our finalists over the last month, it also seems to have been the most popular with the public.”

Over 100 entrepreneurs entered the Challenge, all of whom shared their enterprising story and joined the ever growing online community of like minded entrepreneurs at www.ifwecanyoucan.co.uk, which now has over  1200 members.  The community encourages people to share their stories, offering budding and aspiring entrepreneurs the opportunity to tap into a wealth of experience of people who have ‘been there and done it’ by exchanging experiences and creating connections.

Carole added “For the fourth year running, this entrepreneurial campaign has resonated well with the general public as well as regional businesses, showing that the North East understands the importance of supporting local SMEs to grow and thrive.

“While the Challenge is now over, it is essential that we still continue to support emerging entrepreneurial talent and encourage company owners to instigate growth in their businesses. If you did not manage to enter the Challenge, why not become a member of the ‘If we can you can’ community and get  connected with other like minded entrepreneurs.