“If we had a thriving entrepreneurial economy, the speed we’d come out of the downturn would be transformational, but our culture does not encourage it. We need to get serious about inspiring young people to set up businesses.” So said Peter Jones, the former BBC Dragon, as he launched his Tenner Tycoon programme last week to help school children get a taste of entrepreneurship by giving them £10 and a month to make a profit.
Many others would agree: according to David Cameron in a speech earlier this week, the only strategy for growth is to get behind Britain’s entrepreneurs.
And that’s why the New Entrepreneurs Foundation is launching a year-long scholarship programme targeting the brightest graduates in the UK to pair them with established entrepreneurs. It’s built upon a recognition that the UK needs to nurture a new generation of entrepreneurs to drive the economy’s growth a future prosperity. Successful scholars will gain an unprecedented opportunity to receive training from the likes of Brent Hoberman, Sir Nigel Rudd and Charles Dunstone - alongside hands-on experience of running a growing business with their assigned entrepreneur.
The scheme starts in September 2011 and applications are now open – to find out more visit the application website at http://www.newentrepreneursfoundation.com
Tim Webster is an Account Manager on the FreshMinds Talent Graduate Team
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