Forty-two young people who pitched their big ideas to some of Wales top entrepreneurs were in the Newtown area over the weekend as part of an intense weekend bootcamp to help inspire them to become into the country’s next top business leaders.
The third Big Ideas Wales Challenge took place at Gregynog Hall near Newtown, after auditions were held throughout Wales in October to find young entrepreneurs who can be mentored and inspired to take their high growth business ideas forward.
Several of the attendees were from the Newtown and Llanfair Caereinion area.
They have either already set up their own business or are committed to in the coming months and the weekend bootcamp involves entrepreneurs, business people, advisors and others mentoring and discussing ideas with the young people.
“We’ve been amazed by the calibre of young people applying for the Challenge with some really great entrepreneurial ideas this year for high growth business ventures,” said James Taylor of Cardiff-based SuperStars and the Big Ideas Wales Programme Ambassador.
The Big Ideas Wales Bootcamp kicks off Global Entrepreneurship Week which takes place next week, with thousands of young people taking part throughout Wales.
James added: “It’s a great way to start Global Entrepreneurship Week, driving awareness of entrepreneurship to as wide an audience as possible and getting even more young people to realise how they can be in business by turning an idea into enterprising reality.”
Ongoing, they will be mentored by entrepreneurs and attend regular board meetings to help them develop and progress their businesses over the next 12 months.
They will also have access to business support through Business Wales and partner organisations; network with other young entrepreneurs; get coaching and challenged on their business at all stages and launch and grow their business.
James added: “The bootcamp and ongoing challenge will drive their ambition and success. It’s a unique, almost a once in a lifetime experience for those who have reached this stage. We hope these young people and their businesses will develop into high growth enterprises and become significant businesses in Wales.”
The Big Ideas Wales Challenge is part of the Welsh Government’s Business Wales service and delivers on the Youth Entrepreneurship Strategy (YES) which is part funded by the European Regional Development Fund through the Welsh Government , to encourage young people to be more entrepreneurial and help those interested in starting a business take their ideas forward.
Meanwhile, throughout Global Entrepreneurship Week, Make It Happen events are planned involving business, entrepreneurs, academics and advisors to help demonstrate the opportunities of enterprise and entrepreneurship.
Schools, colleges, universities, youth groups and organisations and others will be participating with events throughout the week. More details can be found at www.bigideaswales.com, on Twitter via @bigideaswales or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/bigideaswales.
