The search is on to find five bright sparks in Birmingham and Solihull with an enterprising idea to help their local community.
The NEC Group has teamed up with charity Unltd - the foundation for social entrepreneurs - to provide each with £2,000 to develop projects aimed at improving the lives of those in deprived areas.
The NEC Group will also provide mentors from various parts of the company to advise, guide, and offer practical help to the awardees.
The partnership with Unltd has been set up in memory of Roger Dickens, chairman of the NEC Group, who passed away earlier this year.
Deborah Smith, marketing and communications director for the NEC Group, said: "Unltd is an organisation working with remarkable and inspiring people, and we are delighted to be supporting such a fantastic project.
"Exhibitions are created by entrepreneurs with great ideas and so the NEC Group is well positioned to recognise and champion social enterprise in the local community.
"The project is very close to our heart. Roger was passionate about corporate social responsibility and made a generous donation from his chairman's salary towards a fund for the development of projects such as these.
"We look forward to making the partnership a huge success in his memory."
Zulfiquar Ahmed, director of Unltd, said he was delighted that NEC Group was helping to support and develop the UK's social entrepreneurs. "We look forward to working together with the NEC Group to invest in individuals and make positive change to communities," he added.
Anyone interested n applying to become an awardee should contact Unltd to obtain an application form.
