Support for funding, advertising and resource support worth £150,000 is up for grabs for one budding entrepreneur from less advantaged backgrounds.
Thanks to entrepreneurship programme ‘Havas Boost’ launched by Havas Media Network UK, 10 applicants will have the opportunity to pitch their business ideas in a Dragon’s Den-style event during Global Entrepreneurship Week (November 18-25).
Applicants must come from less advantaged backgrounds and own a business (2-3 years) demonstrating a purpose beyond profit.
Following the Dragon’s Den-style pitch in Manchester, four prospective candidates will be chosen by a panel of judges consisting of local entrepreneurial talent from the region. Havas Boost’s board will select the eventual winner.
Havas Boost will be based out of Manchester to bring the programme closer to those it can make most difference for. The decision was based on insight from a survey conducted by YouGov of 2500 Brits on behalf of HMN UK that:
- Two-fifths (40%) of less advantaged under-35s in the North West feel there are not good opportunities for people from less advantaged backgrounds to set up a business in Great Britain versus just 19% of people in London.
- This is despite three-fifths expressing interest in starting their own business one day, more than double the British population (26%).
The 2024 Havas Boost programme will be supported by the Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce, the UK’s largest accredited chamber with over 4,000 members, and the award-winning charity, Media Trust.
James Reddington, joint general manager of Havas Media Manchester, said: “Around two-thirds of UK businesses are based outside of London, yet it doesn’t feel much of an even playingfield. The advertising industry, as a key growth driver for the UK economy, is in a unique position to play its part in giving the rest of the country a bit of a boost. Havas Boost reflects our commitment to driving meaningful change both within and beyond our industry.”
To apply for the Havas Boost programme, visit: https://www.havasboost.com/
Image credit:Gary Conway
