Entrepreneur festival comes to Manchester
Over 200 student and graduate entrepreneurs from more than 40 countries and 80 universities around the word have gathered in Manchester for the start of the Entrepreneurs’ Festival.
The festival, hosted by UK Trade & Investment (UKTI), will see the launch of its new Sirius Programme, which will enable talented graduates with innovative start up ideas to relocate to the UK and receive support to develop their business.
The event, which is taking place at several Manchester city centre locations including Salford Quays between September 4-6, will feature Lord Bilamoria, founder and chairman of Cobra Beer, and Lee Strafford, the co-founder of NetStart and UK ISP PlusNet. UKTI said it selected Manchester because of its history of combining industry with entrepreneurship, and because it is a top destination for international students.
The Sirius Programme is a 12-month start-up support and acceleration package open to students and recent graduates with an early-stage business idea or business plan. Successful applicants will receive a full range of support including investment, a place on a business accelerator programmes, mentoring and logistical help with relocating to the UK.
UKTI’s director for graduate entrepreneurs, Paola Cuneo, said: “This week – even more than usual – Manchester will be brimming with talent, enthusiasm and ideas. This festival and the launch of the Sirius Programme will be the start of a unique and amazing opportunity for graduate entrepreneurs around the world to be involved in. Our ambition is to create the next generation of global businesses, here in the UK.”
Tim Newns, chief executive of MIDAS, Manchester’s inward investment agency, said: “I’m thrilled that UKTI has chosen Manchester as the host city for the Entrepreneurship Festival this week. There were around 10,500 business births in Greater Manchester in 2011 and this is testament to the region’s proven track record for nurturing start up businesses and the scale of opportunity on offer here. As a renowned city of firsts, Manchester is the natural choice for an event which aims to inspire the next wave of young entrepreneurs and I’m sure those taking part will find out for themselves why it is such a special place to locate a growing business.”
For more information on the Sirius Programme visit www.siriusprogramme.ukti.gov.uk from September 6. Places will be allocated each month between October 2013 and January 2014, and the deadline for entries for October’s intake is September 30, 2013.
