Are you an aspiring entrepreneur in Leicester, or perhaps you’ve recently launched your own business and are looking for a little extra support and guidance? De Montfort University has joined forces with BID Leicester to launch Leicester Future Entrepreneurs, a new business support programme with a difference.
Leicester Future Entrepreneurs is completely free to join and is open to all members of the public, not just limited to students. Those accepted on to the programme will learn business basics as well as practical skills such as how to make the most out of networking, how to create a website and how to integrate with Leicester’s thriving business community.
Participants are promised a practical programme, with fresh faces as mentors and even some social sessions which will take place across the city.
Importantly you don’t need to be a business owner or start-up to apply. This programme is also perfect for anyone who is currently employed in a role in which they would like to be able to apply more entrepreneurial skills, such as risk-taking, creative thinking or strategic planning.
The programme will be delivered by DMUworks Enterprise & Entrepreneurship, DMU’s student and graduate enterprise team. It will be supported by local mentors and trainers from the local business community. Sessions will take place across the city, encouraging participants to make use of local co-working spaces and enterprise hubs such as LCB Depot. In between the programmed sessions there will also be 1-1 support available from the team.
So what makes this different? This is a practical course too, so participants will be out of the classroom and in and around Leicester completing practical tasks and visiting relevant organisations.
Simon Baines from De Montfort University said “We are thrilled to be partnering with BID on this unique entrepreneurship programme. In a time when there are many business support programmes on offer, we wanted to offer something different, so participants of Leicester Future Entrepreneurs will hear from fresh talent and will benefit from an original schedule of workshops taking place in some of Leicester’s best venues”.
“Critically, this isn’t just another business support programme, we’re keen to work with individuals who are employed, but want to develop and be able to entrepreneurial skills within their workplace. Leicester Future Entrepreneurs is a very practical programme, so don’t expect endless powerpoint presentations and do expect to have a great time and lots of fun”
Simon Jenner from BID Leicester said: “As a Business Improvement District we are proud of the creativity and ingenuity of entrepreneurs in the city and it is fantastic to see that Leicester is increasingly recognised as one of the best places to start a business. This project will provide timely learning and support to people starting new businesses so that they can become the success stories of the future and can grow to occupy property and employ people locally”.
In addition to workshops, 1-2-1s and co-working, there will also be practical tasks and in June, a Leicester Future Entrepreneurs conference which will bring together key stakeholders from the city to work with the participants.
Anybody interested in applying for the programme is invited to attend the first in a new series ofConnect on Campus events, held in partnership between De Montfort University and The Sir Thomas White Loan Charity. It takes place on Thursday 24 February, both physically and online. Registration details can be found at dmumade.com
Applications will close at 5pm on Monday 28 February 2022. Applications will be reviewed by De Montfort University and places offered at their discretion. The decisions made by De Montfort University will be based on the applications and are final. APPLY ONLINE.