For those thinking about starting a business as an alternative career path, we’ve put together a list of organisations in the UK helping young founders to start and grow their startup.
These carefully selected organisations offer mentoring, funding and networking opportunities to help youth entrepreneurship flourish.
Check out our pick of the top 5 organisations:
1. Shell LiveWIRE.
Established in 1982 as one of Shell’s Social Investment programmes, Shell LiveWIRE aims to inspire young people to find solutions to energy and resource challenges facing today’s society.
The organisation supports youth entrepreneurship via its Smarter Future programme, which mentors and awards £5,000 in startup funding to help one entrepreneur every month.
2. National Association of College and University Entrepreneurs.
A membership charity organisation fostering student entrepreneurship with a focus on supporting the creation of enterprise societies in educational institutions in the UK.
NACUE’s Varsity Pitch competition gives students and recent graduates the opportunity to pitch their innovative business idea and win £10,000 to grow their startups.
3. The Prince’s Trust.
Operating since 1976, the charity helps disadvantaged youths build their skill set and self-confidence needed to get into work, education or training.
The charity’s Enterprise Programme provides unemployed young people, aged 18-30, with mentoring and funding to build their own business. Funding can either be a small business grant or a low-interest start-up loans of up to £7,500.
4. Santander Universities Enterprise Portal.
Part of Santander Bank’s commitment to higher education, the Santander Universities Enterprise portal supports student and graduate entrepreneurs through different initiatives.
The portal helps young entrepreneurs win funding for their startups, build their business knowledge and access networking opportunities.
5. Tycoon In Schools.
The annual free national enterprise competition, founded by Peter Jones CBE in 2012, aims to encourage young people to get into business at an earlier age with.
Tycoon in Schools gives upcoming entrepreneurs, aged 5-18, a start-up loan between £50 to £1000 to manage a business while at school or college.
Check out the stories of these five entrepreneurs who set up their own ventures while at the university.