Entries are open for the biggest business awards in the county – and we want you to enter.

“After the awards ceremony the team came back really fired up and absolutely buzzing,” said Paul Jackson, whose company Dovetail Games won Technology Business of the Year at the 2015 Kent Excellence in Business Awards, known as the KEiBAs.

“Winning a KEiBA helps to give a sense of the scale and the size of what we’re doing and confirms that we’re on the right course.

“I think entering KEiBA is a key strategy. If you win, it’s great to have the recognition and it’s really useful when you’re out there selling your business.”

More than 170 people are set to have attended the official KEiBA launch tonight at the Port Lympne Hotel, near Folkestone.

Now in its eighth year, companies are able to enter up to four of the 15 categories.

“It’s really good to say that I’ve won a KEiBA and to have something that people in Kent recognise,” said Becky Campbell, director of Reflect Digital, who won Young Entrepreneur of the Year in 2015.

“Winning was a fantastic achievement. It’s helped my company win more business, stand out against its competition and it’s generated lots of opportunities. It’s also helped to build our profile in Kent.”

KEiBA 2016, which is run by the county council and KM Media Group, is open to any business or organisation based and operating in Kent, excluding the London borough postcodes of Bromley, Bexley and Orpington.

County council cabinet member for economic development Mark Dance said: “The KEiBAs are undoubtedly one of the highlights of the year for business in Kent.

“We had over 300 entries to the competition last year, our biggest number of entries to date, and I’m looking forward to seeing the calibre of this year’s entrants.”

The deadline for entries is Friday, February 26.

KM Media Group chairman Geraldine Allinson said: “The KEiBAs are now recognised as the pre-eminent business awards in Kent, so most credible businesses in Kent either have or want a KEiBA trophy on their shelf.

“I urge all good businesses in Kent to enter the KEiBAs this year. It is your opportunity to stand up and be counted alongside the finest businesses in the county and gain recognition that is truly deserved.”

To enter the awards, visit keiba.co.uk

The deadline for entries is Friday, February 26.