Printing.com joins mentoring scheme

MANCHESTER’S Printing.com, the AIM listed online print company, has become one of the first private sector partners for the Government’s Start-Up Loans scheme.

The £112m initiative will seek to help young people start their own businesses by providing loans of up to £10,000 alongside business mentoring.

Printing.com will interview, mentor and develop business plans with applicants and also approve loans. Other partners include The Prince’s Trust.

Launched in September last year, the scheme’s age range was recently broadened to allow people aged up to 30 to secure the backing.

Tony Rafferty, chief executive of Printing.com, said: “Our main focus will be to help young entrepreneurs from the graphic arts sector including graphic and web designers.  

“But we want to hear from young entrepreneurs from other sectors too. Our business is partly based on a franchise model and we already provide lots of mentoring support within that network. We know how to help people get going. As a former director of the British Franchise Association I’m also keen to get the Start-Up Loan Scheme out in the broader franchise community. We have a wealth of experience built up over many years in this area.”

Mr Rafferty started Printing.com at the age of 24 with a £3,000 loan from his father, operating from home with a computer, a laser printer and a fax machine. The company is now listed on AIM and has global operations.