‘I want to encourage young people to come forward and grasp the opportunity to develop their own ideas’
Former star of TV’s The Apprentice is calling on budding tycoons to come forward with their ideas.(Image: Hull City Council)
Budding entrepreneurs could win up to £1,000 after being encouraged to pitch their ideas to a famous businesswoman and TV star. Ruth Badger, the former runner-up of the long-running TV show The Apprentice, is giving future businesspeople in the region the opportunity to showcase their ideas as well win a cash prize.
The Badger Sett Enterprise Challenge is run in partnership with the Microbusiness Alliance, Hull City Council and the John Cracknell Youth Enterprise Bank. It sees aspiring tycoons – aged from primary school up to 29 years old – pit their cases against others from the East Riding and Scarborough.
Entrants can put forward an idea for a new business, co-operative or community project, or an enterprising school or college project. Prizes for each category are up to £500 for primary school entries, up to £750 for ages 11 to 18 years, and up to £1,000 for those aged 18 to 29.
Ruth is best known as the 2006 runner-up of the reality TV show The Apprentice, in which contestants go head-to-head to secure a major investment from business magnate Sir Alan Sugar. She now has her own consultancy firm, which has helped countless businesses to launch, improve and achieve growth even in difficult market conditions.
She said: “I am very passionate about enterprise and ensuring young people can engage in it, so have decided to relaunch the Badgers Sett Enterprise Challenge for the young people of Hull, the East Riding and Scarborough. Out of all the areas in the UK that I have work with, I believe this is the best at engaging real entrepreneurs and successful businesses in partnering up with future young entrepreneurs.
“I want to encourage young people to come forward and grasp the opportunity to develop their own ideas, where they can receive financial support and mentoring. I am delighted that this has been endorsed once again by the Microbusiness Alliance, Hull City Council and the John Cracknell Youth Enterprise Bank.”
Coun Paul Drake-Davis, portfolio holder for economic renewal and housing, added: “The council is delighted to be able to support the Badgers Sett Enterprise Challenge once again. It is a great initiative to encourage young entrepreneurship, which in turn will help to support Hull’s economy.”
The deadline for entries to Tuesday September 22. The winners of each section will then go on compete against each other in an attempt to double their winnings during Global Entrepreneurship Week, which runs from November 16 to 20.
To request an entry form, email charles.cracknell@hullcc.gov.uk or call 07990 510 211.
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