An Acton-based business has beaten competition from hundreds of other small businesses to be shortlisted in the national Nectar Business Small Business Awards.

Therapy Box develops apps for people with disabilities - such as motor neurone disease - in 35 countries and help more than 40,000 people around the world to communicate, control their environment and retain their independence.

The company is up for the Contribution to the Community category, which is judged by a panel of experts led by BBC ‘Dragon’ Sarah Willingham.

Rebecca Bright, Therapy Box founder, said: “Being shortlisted in the Nectar Business Small Business Awards is a great honour and the team are so proud. Our products help thousands of people around the world and it’s fantastic to be recognised by the awards.”

In addition to the panel, the public can vote from September 8 to October 4 by visiting facebook.com/nectarbusiness.

If successful, Rebecca will take home £2,000 cash, 50,000 Nectar points and will be invited to the Nectar Business Round Table and Awards event in November, where she will meet and receive tailored expert advice from Sarah Willingham.

“The Nectar Business Small Business Awards showcase today’s business talent and the disruptive, ambitious stars of tomorrow,” said Will Shuckburgh, Nectar managing director.

“We believe Therapy Box is destined for greatness.”

Previous winners include NotontheHighStreet.co.uk and Hungryhouse.co.uk,

The winners will be announced on Tuesday November 10.

For more information visit www.nectar.com/smallbusiness.