An initiative offering £150,000 of funding, advertising, and resource support is set to provide a significant boost to entrepreneurs from disadvantaged backgrounds in Northern regions outside London.
Set to take place during Global Entrepreneurship Week from 18-25 November, the programme will enable ten selected applicants to present their business ideas in a Dragon’s Den-style pitch event in Manchester. This initiative aims to support business owners who have been operating for two to three years and demonstrate a purpose beyond profit.
Following the pitch event, a panel of judges composed of local entrepreneurial talent will narrow down the applicants to four finalists. Ultimately, the board will select one winner to receive the £150,000 support package.
The programme will be based out of Manchester to ensure it is accessible to those it intends to support. This decision aligns with insights from a YouGov survey commissioned by Havas Media Network UK, which highlighted significant disparities in entrepreneurial opportunities between regions. The survey revealed that 40% of under-35s from less advantaged backgrounds in the North West believe there are insufficient opportunities for setting up a business in Great Britain, compared to 19% in London. Despite this, there is a notable entrepreneurial spirit with 60% expressing an interest in starting their own business, more than double the national average of 26%.
The programme also has the backing of the Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce, the UK’s largest accredited chamber with over 4,000 members, and an award-winning charity. The programme’s awareness campaign, developed by HMN’s in-house design and marketing team, was launched this week, encompassing both Out-Of-Home (OOH) and digital advertising across Manchester.
James Reddington, General Manager of Havas Media Manchester, stated, “Around two-thirds of UK businesses are based outside of London, yet it doesn’t feel much of an even playing field. 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.”
This £150,000 programme represents a vital opportunity for Northern entrepreneurs from disadvantaged backgrounds to realise their business ambitions, potentially altering the entrepreneurial landscape in the UK.