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Secret Millionaire helps launch the search for entrepreneurs with a Big Community Idea
Secret Millionaire helps launch the search for entrepreneurs with a Big Community Idea
November 17th 2009
Aspiring entrepreneurs from the North and Scotland who are looking to get their Big Idea off the ground are being offered a unique chance to receive a huge helping hand to turn their own business dreams into reality.
From Social Enterprise Day (Thursday 19th November) during Global Entrepreneurship Week, Connaught Partnerships Ltd and entrepreneur Carl Hopkins of Channel 4’s Secret Millionaire are inviting people from across the North to submit their sustainable, community focused business ideas to be in with a chance of winning a prize package worth £10,000 of expert mentoring and office or workshop space for a year, plus a cash donation.
After the closing date of 5th February 2010 entries will be presented before a panel of judges from The Big Community Idea founder Connaught Partnerships Ltd; Carl Hopkins; Enterprise UK; Business Link and Evans easyspace who will select the finalists that they feel demonstrate an ability to engage with local communities and provide sustainable business ideas and opportunities.
The shortlisted entries will be invited to participate in a workshop in Spring 2010 to further explore the potential of their idea, before the panel of judges select a final winner who will receive the prize package.
Carl Hopkins, who has invested in several businesses and is an Enterprise UK Ambassador, was raised the son of a steelworker and seamstress in a Leeds council house just a few metres away from Connaught Partnerships managing director Peter Jones.
Carl recalls a humble upbringing before his entrepreneurial side brought about dramatic change in his life: “As a child I remember having an outside toilet and getting an all-over wash standing in front of the fire while for my first job I worked in a butcher’s five nights a week and all day Saturday for just £10 before I got my big break.
Carl continued: “Despite an unsupportive environment I am living proof that where somebody grows up isn’t an obstacle to achieving whatever they want and The Big Community Idea is a unique opportunity for people to receive expert mentoring, office space and a cash prize to help turn their dream into reality.”
Peter Jones, managing director for Connaught Partnerships, said: “Although we didn’t know each other as youngsters Carl and I grew up just a few metres apart and we are equally passionate about getting out into the communities in which we are working to help support local people in realising their ambitions.
“Hopefully The Big Community Idea will encourage people to come forward with their business ideas and we are looking for entries that can help make a real long lasting impact on the community. What form this takes is very wide reaching and we are excited to see the entries come in.”
Jane Walton, Head of Region for Enterprise UK said: “This event is a great opportunity for people to showcase their ideas and really turn their passion into profits. We know that people from the region have the ambition, skills and determination required to develop and grow a successful business and this is what we are looking for.”
She added: “We look forward to engaging with people who have really put their enterprising spirit into their business suggestions, taking community and sustainability into account. It should make for a very interesting final.”
Evans Easyspace has kindly supported The Big Community Idea by donating office or workshop space to the winning entry for a calendar year.