Business leaders of tomorrow will be battling it out to impress enterprise gurus with their ideas in a Dragons' Den-style competition in Bradford.
As part of Bradford Council's Step Up Enterprise scheme, more than 50 teams of young people from across the district will have their business acumen put to the test from Tuesday, 16 March, at a series of gruelling presentations in front of a group of leading, local entrepreneurs.
The overall project was set up with various agencies to produce enterprising ideas and education across the district.
Schools, colleges and youth groups were invited to take on the challenge and the shortlisted teams are now set to have their projects scrutinised.
Enterprise Enablers, based in each of the five constituencies, have worked closely with their communities to promote the project.
The winning teams will then receive £100 and a business mentor to help them progress to the next stage of the Market Challenge when they will be selling or promoting their wares in the city centre in June.
Coun Adrian Naylor, the Council's Executive Member for Regeneration and Skills, said: "The Step Up Enterprise scheme is an inspiring way to encourage children and young people to get their thinking caps on and come up with innovative business ideas or projects.
"The work that has gone into this project so far has been extremely impressive and the judges will have a difficult job on their hands!"
Coun Michael Kelly, the Council's Executive Member for Services to Children and Young People, said: "It is vital that our children and young people are given the support and encouragement they need to boost their skills and potential - one of the key messages of the district's ongoing b someone education campaign."
The entrants, aged five to 19, have created a variety of products or ideas, from jewellery to bookmarks, and a CD and handmade soap.
All the work, including initial designs, logos and marketing and business plans, has been done by the children and young people.
The Dragons include a diverse range of experts from various local businesses, including MD of Bombay Stores Saleem Kader, Seabrook Crisps' MD John Tague, Director of iNet insights Jamie Dobson, Ford Business Manager Bryan Greig and Nasreen Karim of Platinum Solicitors.
Step Up Enterprise is funded by Kickstart until July 2011 and future activities will include enterprise challenges, theme days and a network of business clubs for young people.
Officer/Contact
Ashleigh McMillan
Enterprise Enablement Manager
Telephone: 01274 385530
Media Relations Officer
Carolyne Coyle
Telephone: 01274 432400
Fax: 01274 432005
Email: press.communications@bradford.gov.uk
Date: 12.03.10
