FIVE businesses from Essex have reached the second stage of the Ixion Challenge 2009 and now have six weeks to prepare their case for the �27,000 award to help their business “survive and revive”.

FIVE businesses from Essex have reached the second stage of the Ixion Challenge 2009 and now have six weeks to prepare their case for the �27,000 award to help their business “survive and revive”.

Margaret Hyde, chairman of Ixion Holdings Ltd, which organises the challenge, said: “This year saw a record 154 companies from across the East of England submit an entry for the first stage of the Ixion Challenge, nearly three times the number that entered last year, and during the last three weeks the judges have been studying each entry in detail and have now approved five firms as finalists

“During this next stage the panel of judges will be visiting each of the five finalists to discuss their business plan and discover details of how the firm will use the �27,000 available to the winner.”

The five firms on the shortlist are A J Woods Engineering Ltd of Harwich, Colchester Physiotherapy Clinic, Colchester, Green Cartridges Ltd, Braintree, Hanningfield Process Systems, Rochford, and the Maldon Brewing Company Ltd, Maldon.

Miss Hyde added: “Ixion Holdings Ltd is a not-for-profit organisation that plays a significant role in helping local businesses to grow and develop. Through the Ixion Challenge we give something back to the local community by giving businesses additional financial support to survive and revive at this difficult time.”