Six young entrepreneurs were honoured at a celebratory lunch at The Brink cafe in Liverpool for completing the Ignite course, a ten week programme of training and support run by Bootle’s business support agency Regenerus and funded by the Liverpool City Region Talent Match programme.

The course, aimed at 18 – 24 year olds who have been out of work of education for more than 12 months, was designed to engage with participants to help turn their ideas and skills into a small business venture.

The course develops participants’ talents through a mix of presentations, practical exercises, and team events, helping to define their business concepts, identifying target markets, and determining a marketing strategy.

Other aspects of the course involved social media, seeking crowdfunding support, creating a promotional film. These were all delivered by existing local businesses with extensive experience and support from Regenerus, including Sandbox Digital, JUXDIT, and Periscope Pictures.

The business ideas generated by the Ignite course will see the creation of businesses involved in jewellery making, photography, drama in eduction, and graphic novels.

Regenerus business advisers and peer mentors are actively developing these concepts to help graduates start trading.

Regenerus business development manager, Eve Money, said:

“This has been an exciting programme to develop in partnership with the young people, and we are delighted that they have found it so useful.

“They have some excellent business ideas, and a huge amount of enthusiasm and drive to get their new enterprises off the ground, so we will continue to offer them practical support in any way we can.”

Regenerus are recruiting young entrepreneurs for its next Bootle-based course set to start in April.

The Ignite course runs for one day a week over 10 weeks, with all transport and meal costs provided and graduates who continue to start up their own business benefit from a £250 grant.

For more information contact Eve Money on 0151 934 2637 or email eve@regenerus.org.uk

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Words: Peter Cribley