TODAY marks the launch of the fourth pan-regional If We Can, You Can Challenge that encourages all aspiring and established business owners to show their entrepreneurial flair.
The challenge calls upon any individual who is thinking of starting up or looking to grow their existing business to enter the competition by sharing their story and adding themselves to a growing online community of entrepreneurs.
The If We Can, You Can campaign builds on the Entrepreneurs’ Forum’s well established principles of peer-to-peer support where the personal stories of experienced entrepreneurs offer insight, support and guidance to start up and existing business owners looking to expand and grow.
Over the years this has proved a useful communication and networking portal for entrepreneurs and provides a mutually beneficial opportunity for everyone involved.
The fourth year is expected to be no exception with all entrants benefiting from being part of the online community at www.ifwecanyoucan.co.uk
To date, the If We Can, You Can community has grown to include 955 members who are all part of a valuable knowledge exchange and a true indicator of the region’s shared entrepreneurial drive.
Carole Beverley, chief executive of the Entrepreneurs’ Forum, said: “I am very proud to kick off yet another year of the If We Can, You Can Challenge. The North-east is a region that is experiencing some of the highest levels of unemployment, perhaps entrepreneurship is the key for people to get back into work and also add value to the region’s economy. The Challenge can help people to take their first steps toward setting up a business and growing that business.”
Every entrant will also be encouraged to acknowledge and show thanks to the person who has given them that vital support throughout their endeavours.
That person could be someone close to them - a friend or family member who has been their most helpful supporter or it could be a business advisor from a support organisation.
There will also be three new awards introduced this year for Regional Growth, Student Entrepreneurialism and the Best School Entrepreneur.
These award winners will be announced on June 30, the same time as the supporters.
As of today, entrants have until midnight on Sunday, May 8, to register their entries.
The If We Can, You Can campaign is driven by the Entrepreneurs’ Forum and funded by One North East. It aims to actively address the region’s current business shortfall by unlocking the entrepreneurial potential among the general public.
Each of the seven winners will be named as a regional Face of Entrepreneurship 2011 and will spearhead next year’s campaign.
They will also win a prize package worth up to £5,000 including a “money can’t buy” business mentoring package, and access to senior Entrepreneurs’ Forum members for guidance and relevant connections, a business gadget, ongoing advice on potential sources of finance, a place at the Entrepreneurs’ Forum annual conference and dinner on Thursday, May 19, worth £270 and one year’s membership of the Entrepreneurs’ Forum.
www.ifwecanyoucan.co.uk (or call 0870 850 2233)