Havas Media Network UK has initiated a major entrepreneurship programme, Havas Boost, aimed at supporting Northern entrepreneurs from disadvantaged backgrounds.
- The programme offers £150,000 of combined funding, advertising, and resource support.
- Applicants will pitch their business ideas in a Dragon’s Den-style event in November.
- The initiative responds to research highlighting regional disparities in business opportunities.
- Support from the Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce and Media Trust underscores the programme’s credibility.
Havas Media Network UK has unveiled an ambitious initiative, Havas Boost, with the aim of fostering entrepreneurial talent in the North of England. This programme is specifically designed to assist entrepreneurs who hail from less advantaged backgrounds, offering them a substantial sum of £150,000 in funding, advertising, and resources. Such support is a boon for those aiming to establish or grow their businesses amid challenging economic conditions.
Participants in the Havas Boost initiative will get the chance to present their business ideas during a Dragon’s Den-style event scheduled to take place in Manchester as part of Global Entrepreneurship Week, occurring from 18 to 25 November. This engaging platform will allow ten handpicked entrepreneurs to demonstrate their business acumen in front of a panel of judges composed of local entrepreneurial leaders.
The selection process is rigorous, intending to identify four candidates whose businesses exhibit a purpose beyond mere profit. These chosen individuals will be evaluated based on their innovative ideas and execution potential, paving their way to the final selection where Havas Boost’s board will declare the ultimate recipient of the support package.
The strategic location of Manchester for this programme reflects Havas Media Network’s commitment to accessibility. According to a survey conducted by YouGov for HMN UK, there exists a notable disparity in business opportunities between the North West and London. Forty percent of under-35s from less advantaged backgrounds in the North West feel hindered by a lack of opportunities compared to only nineteen percent in London, despite a higher entrepreneurial interest in the North West.
Endorsement from eminent organisations such as the Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce and the Media Trust lends substantial weight to the programme’s credibility. These partnerships not only enhance the legitimacy of the initiative but also provide valuable networks and resources to emerging entrepreneurs, thereby increasing the likelihood of their success.
Havas Boost stands as a significant programme poised to drive entrepreneurial success in Northern regions.
