Zuto launches £5K award for budding entrepreneurs

NORTH West car finance specialist Zuto is looking to give £5,000 to an upcoming entrepreneur with an inspirational business plan.

The car finance specialist has made the grant available to anyone within the UK who feels they have what it takes to run a successful business.

The process will start with an online application in which entrants must submit a written business plan and have the additional option to make their case via video submission.

This pool of applicants will then be whittled down to five finalists who will be given the chance to refine their ideas during an intensive two-week workshop with co-founders James Wilkinson and Ryan Dignan.

After using what they’ve learnt to refine their business plans, the competition will culminate in a Dragons’ Den style pitch to the duo who select the best candidate to receive the £5,000 grant.

Having set up their own company in 2006, the duo – who now employ more than 300 people and have recently been named one of The Sunday Times Best Companies to Work For- are keen to highlight the importance they place on entrepreneurial spirit.

James Wilkinson, chief executive of Zuto, said: “Having the guts to take your own business ideas and make them into a reality takes courage and self-belief. We set up when I was just 24 and if we’d had this sort of advice and financial support available back then, we would have grabbed it with both hands. I’m relishing the chance to help someone on the path of their own success story.”

Director Ryan Dignan, said: “The first twelve months of any business start-up is crucial and we hope that with the £5,000 grant and our advice, the winner will be able to build strong foundations for the future.”

Details of how to apply for the grant are available on Zuto’s website.