More aspiring entrepreneurs will receive help to get their business ideas off the ground – thanks to an extra £1.9 million grant from regional development agency One NorthEast.

The funding will be used to expand the region’s Entrepreneurs Forum’s successful mentoring programme to link people starting their own businesses with support and advice from experienced entrepreneurs.

The cash will also fund practical workshops and seminars for people thinking about starting their own business and those who’ve recently established an enterprise, and for providing support and advice from successful entrepreneurs via interactive websites, podcasting and instant messaging.

One NorthEast’s Director of Business and Industry, Ian Williams, said: “Encouraging more people in the North East to consider enterprise as an option is a key part of the region’s drive to create up to 22,000 new businesses and get  70,000 more people into work by 2016.

“We have many successful entrepreneurs in the North East who are extremely well-placed to inspire others, and willing to give their time and energy to offer coaching and guidance to those who are just starting out. We have to make the most of that valuable resource, which is the equivalent of significant private sector investment for the region.

“This grant will help the Entrepreneurs Forum to expand and build on the strong work it is already doing with new technologies and tailored mentoring, to get the expertise of existing entrepreneurs across to those who are considering their own start up.”

Carole Beverley, Chief Executive of the Entrepreneurs’ Forum, said: ‘Peer-to-peer support is the foundation of our work at the Entrepreneurs’ Forum. It’s about bringing together like-minded individuals, all practitioners and experts in their own field, to share practical experience and wisdom.

“Our mentoring programme is only six months old and over half our members are already actively engaged. This additional funding will enable us to build on this successful model and our unique programme of events, extending the significant benefits to inspire and support a far wider entrepreneurial community across the region.

“There is no better way to learn than from those who have been there and done it. After all, success as they say breeds success.”

Relevant links

One NorthEast 

Help and support for budding entrepreneurs

Forum inspiration with Paul Walker

Blue skies for entrepreneurs

Interview with an entrepreneur

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