Partner Article

Network launch puts spotlight on region's next generation of entrepreneurs

A new networking group is set to be launched in Doncaster with the aim of helping young entrepreneurs meet other young professionals and business leaders, make friends and have fun.

The free of charge event is being hosted by Launchpad; a unique Sheffield City Region wide scheme designed to help ambitious entrepreneurs set up and run successful businesses.

The Young Entrepreneurs Network has been created to provide business owners and those thinking of starting a business, aged between 18–40, an opportunity to meet regularly and collaborate, share new ideas and support each other. The event will include a short talk by Ant Allen, founder of fashion brand the Skull and Bones Boys Club, who will talk about his business journey to date and how his company has grown from a novel idea to being sold in retailers across the UK.

Taking place at the Vintage Rock Bar, 64-66 Silver Street, Doncaster on Monday 15th May from 5:30pm to 7pm, the event is the first of its kind to be launched in the town and provides opportunities for young entrepreneurs to meet likeminded individuals and find out about the wealth of support available from Launchpad.

Irshad Akbar, Business Mentoring Manager at Launchpad said:

“This is the first event of its kind to be hosted in the town and the group plans to meet regularly throughout the year, offering a chance to find out more about the support available, share experiences and overcome potential barriers to growth.

“There are many opportunities for business owners to meet others but we recognised that young entrepreneurs often find themselves missing out. Hannah Shekle, who launched Bessacarr based Dreambakes in 2014, had received support from Launchpad but mentioned that attending networking events was often a daunting experience and the topics were not always relevant to her needs.

“During the evening, visitors will be given the chance to hear from Ant Allen who will share some of his secrets to success. As an established young entrepreneur he can provide invaluable advice to young individuals with a business dream. His business journey and success is testament to the number of young, successful entrepreneurs who have made their business dream into a reality.

“We’re also using the event to help showcase the support available through Launchpad’s peer mentoring programme, which we hope will help young business owners to support each other as their business ideas grow, develop and evolve. It promises to be a truly unique event and one which we hope will be rolled out across the whole of the Sheffield City Region.”

Launchpad is a unique programme delivered completely free of charge as part of the Sheffield City Region Growth Hub. It is part funded by the European Union Regional Development Fund and delivered throughout the Sheffield City Region by local authorities and The Princes Trust. Pre-start businesses and businesses which have been trading for 2 years or less in the Sheffield City Region are eligible for free support and mentoring through the Launchpad programme.

The Young Entrepreneur Network event is free of charge to attend. For further information contact the Launchpad Mentoring team on 01302 736 062 or contact gemma.white@doncaster.gov.uk The event is ticketed and tickets can be ordered here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/young-entrepreneur-network-tickets-33888957785

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by SCR Launchpad .