Member Article

Regional entrepreneurs lay down business challenge

The hunt is one for the North East’s most exciting entrepreneurs, as The Entrepreneurs’ Forum launches its If You Can, We Can challenge.

Bdaily was at the Tyneside Cinema to hear from previous contenders, and to find out how the challenge is much more than a standard competition.

At the launch, the region’s businesspeople heard from top entrepreneurs such as Brian Jobling, founder of Gateshead-based video games developers, Eutechnyx; ex-playboy designer and founder of lingerie brand Tallulah Love, Michelle Taylor; and Surreal Creative’s Ian Smith.

The speakers reinforced the message for North East entrepreneurs to think big, and beyond the region when developing their ideas.

Nigel Mills, chairman of the Entrepreneurs’ Forum, said: “There are two key ingredients that all entrepreneurial activity needs to survive and grow: iconic figures to look up to who prompt the thought: ‘If they can, I can’; and mentors to help guide entrepreneurs on their journey.”

Nicola Short, the Forum’s executive director, explained the competition aimed to inspire and support entrants throughout the application stages, as those registered will have access to free events throughout May where knowledge will be shared.

Winners will have the opportunity to access over £10,000 of ‘first deal’ investment from Rivers Capital; four half-day financial mentoring sessions with Yorkshire Bank; £1,000 of legal advice from Ward Hadaway; £2,000 of accounting, tax and growth mentoring from PwC; a full IT audit and advice from Onyx Group and a place at the Entrepreneurs’ Forum November 2013 and May 2014 conferences.

To apply for the challenge, visit the If We Can, You Can page, and fill out the application form before June 7.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Tom Keighley .