The UK accounting watchdog – KPMG – launches the ‘Black Entrepreneurs Award’ aimed at supporting three budding black founders to turn their business dreams into reality.

Studies show that Black professionals often face barriers in progressing beyond middle management.

This has subsequently led to the growth of Black-founded startups and a growing trend in self-employment.

The bespoke 12-month acceleration programme looks to address the issues faced by black entrepreneurs early on in their startup journey, due to lack of funding or support.

Winners of the award programme are set to receive £5,000 cash prize, media publicity, coaching and mentoring from senior KPMG business experts, access to skills workshops, training, and networking opportunities with KPMG’s community of like-minded black heritage start-up founders and business leaders.

Criteria for entry:

• The Black Entrepreneurs Award is open to entrepreneurs from a Black heritage background;
• Your startup will need to be registered and based in the UK;
• At the minimum, your enterprise must have a viable product/service;
• The competition is not open to any business which is a KPMG audit client.

Philip Davidson, KPMG’s UK managing partner comments: “We know black heritage entrepreneurs face various barriers when it comes to setting up their own businesses, but we’re committed to addressing these issues. We want to help these individuals succeed in accessing funding by providing our business expertise.

“This award is just one of the ways we’re attracting and promoting black heritage talent, supporting the broader business community and promoting social mobility as a firm.”

Deadline for application is 20 August 2018 – APPLY HERE