BUSINESSES in Worcestershire have been given an extra fortnight to submit their entry into the Connect Midlands 5 million Investment Challenge, because it has proved so successful.

The Connect Midlands Investment Challenge, which offers a reserved pot of up to 5 million in equity funding to successful applicants, has experienced a high volume of traffic to its website and, as a result, has extended its deadline to give interested parties more time to complete their online applications. Entries must now be in by July 18.

The challenge is sponsored by BT Business, backed by Catapult Venture Managers, Midven Ltd., the Mercia Technology Seed Fund and Advantage Business Angels and supported by Advantage West Midlands.

Ian Binks, BT business regional manager, said: "BT Business is proud to be partners in the Connect Midlands Investment Challenge as we're dedicated to helping start-up businesses grow and prosper. The investment challenge is a superb initiative, and a great opportunity for budding entrepreneurs to acquire the funding they need to establish themselves, and get that all-important foothold in the marketplace."

Isabell Majewsky, director of Connect Midlands, added: "The primary objectives of the challenge are to identify and highlight entrepreneurial activity, to provide a range of benefits and assistance to those companies, and ultimately lead to real equity investment opportunities.

"Entries to this year's challenge have proved to be of really high quality, and with five times more funding available than last year, we should be able to help a significant number of businesses."

To enter, people should complete the online assessment tool, the Gauntlet, on the challenge's website at www.connectchallenge.org