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You’ll receive 18 months of business support to set you up for success, we’ll also invest a £1000 to help with start-up costs and provide a monthly salary of £651 to help you concentrate on establishing your business.

BUILD A BUSINESS WITH A SOCIAL IMPACT

You must be aged 18-25 years old 

and can be based anywhere within the UK. Training & support will be delivered virtually as part of the 18-month business development program.

 

So, if you have a burning desire to launch a social enterprise or a business which values its impact on the community or environment as much as profits, then carry on reading to find out more.

Do you want to be one of the eight people we support to launch a business with a social impact? 

You will need to be available for introductory meeting on these key dates:

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  • An initial group meeting on Wednesday 5th May 2021

  • An initial individual meeting with your business support manager on Monday 12th May 2021

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The closing date for applying for the programme is Friday 2nd April 2021

We would expect initial conversations for prospective participants to take place during week beginning Monday 19th April 2021 with final decisions being made on Friday 23rd April 2021.

Here’s what one of last year’s successful applicants has to say about the Opportunity Fund.

“Just wanted to say a HUGE THANK YOU to Launch It, Blagrave trust, Paul Hamlyn Foundation and every single one of you who made this possible. My life has not been easy with all the personal issues I’ve had. I always wanted to start a business and with help we built a strong social conscience. We’ve been able to do so much for the community and feed so many people. That’s the most rewarding part of this journey…I’ve never had anyone believe and push me like you guys have. I appreciate the support ever so much.”

 

Awis Parvaiz, VeeGoo,

A vegan catering company with a social conscience that provides vegan food donations to the community.

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The Opportunity Fund pilot is a partnership between the Paul Hamlyn Foundation and the Blagrave Trust to directly support 8 young entrepreneurs. The program will run for 18 months from May 2021 to October 2022.

 

Any young people who are selected to take part in the project will receive £1000 towards project costs and an additional monthly payment of £651. This may be spent by participants on anything that will help them make progress with their chosen personal and social impact, including living costs. 

 

The criteria for applying for the program are:

  • Aged between 18 and 25 years.

  • Running or in the process of setting up a social enterprise or a business which also seeks to bring about a positive social impact.

  • Able to deliver part of your business virtually/online.

  • Facing challenges either socially or economically (we can discuss this with you).

 

ALL SUPPORT AND TRAINING WILL BE DELIVERED VIA ZOOM IN THE FIRST INSTANCE.

 

The business support will be essential for your business success so we ask you to commit to:

  • Attending 10 training sessions in the first month of the programme as part of a ‘business bootcamp’ approach. The training will cover topics including social media for business, financial planning, market research, e-commerce, legal contracts and web-development.

  • Fortnightly support meetings via Zoom with your business support manager (this will be reviewed as the project progresses).

  • A bi-monthly group work session via Zoom with other participants on the programme.

  • Periodical meetings with the funders of the project (dates to be confirmed).

  • Complete evaluation forms every 6 weeks.

 

Our commitment to you during the program will be:

 

  • One to one business and pastoral support.

  • Access to a business mentor.

  • Monthly payment of £651 to help with costs (including cost of living).

  • £1000 to invest in your business.

  • Access to any additional training and networking opportunities offered by Launch It.

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