Young Entrepreneurs

There are a number of organisations which provide encouragement, advice and financial support specifically for young people setting up their own businesses.

The Prince's Trust
If you have a good idea for a business but cannot get funding, The Prince's Trust can help with the following:

• a low interest loan of up to �5,000
• in special cases, a grant of up to �1,500 for individuals and �3,000 for groups
• a pre-start test marketing grant of up to �250
• a volunteer business mentor for the first three years, to give you regular advice and support
• self-help kits, seminars and free advice lines
• sales opportunities through exhibitions

• are a UK resident aged 18-30 who is unemployed or employed in a part-time or inadequate job
• have not been able to get the funding you need from other sources
• have a good business idea and are ready to make it a reality

So, if you have a business idea that needs support contact The Prince's Trust (Hampshire Office), tel: 023 8065 3637, email: [email protected], or visit the website: www.princes-trust.org.uk.

New Deal
New Deal can help you try out your business idea and begin trading whilst still in receipt of benefits.

If you are aged between 18 and 24 and are eligible for New Deal for Young People, New Deal can offer you the opportunity to trade as self-employed for up to 26 weeks without losing benefit entitlement. Training towards an accredited qualification whilst on the programme will enhance your new business skills.

Run by In Biz for Jobcentre Plus, the start-up programme offers the following:

• a generous period of time to try out and profit from your business idea
• continued state benefits and an extra allowance
• personal business adviser for guidance and support
• new business skills
• assistance with funding applications
• tailored business plan
• access to In Biz office resources
• preferential insurance package
• continued support for the lifetime of your business

Your business idea will be fully discussed with a business adviser. The emphasis throughout the programme is on personal one-to-one assistance with individual attention and together you will decide the best way to proceed. For further information contact:
In Biz, tel: 023 8063 2739, email: [email protected], or visit the website: www.inbizonline.co.uk.

Shell Livewire
Shell Livewire is a youth enterprise scheme supported by Shell UK, which encourages and helps young people aged 16-30 to start up and develop their own businesses. The scheme will provide you with free information and advice on all the essential stages of business from identifying a business idea and producing a business plan, to information on raising finance and exporting. You will receive an Essential Business Start-up Kit which includes a profile of your chosen business idea, along with information on doing market research and writing a business plan. You will also receive details of a Shell Livewire co-ordinator who can arrange one-to-one advice from a local business adviser.

There is also the opportunity to win �10,000 by entering the Shell Livewire Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award, with the chance to win cash awards and gain valuable publicity opportunities for your business.

Shell Livewire also provides a mentoring system which provides on line access to established young business people who have volunteered to provide advice, information and knowledge which will help you overcome the challenges that you face in your new business venture.

The system covers five key areas of concern for those starting a new business:

• business planning
• finance and funding
• sales and marketing
• business management
• personnel

You can post your start-up questions on-line and receive a reply within 48 hours from mentors who have specialist advice and expertise to offer.

For more information contact: Shell Livewire, tel: 0845 757 3252 (cost of local call), visit the website: www.shell-livewire.org or speak to your local Enterprise Agency or Business Link adviser.