A major new £300,000 award to kick start the businesses of young entrepreneurs in the Midlands has been launched by one of the region’s largest independent accountancy firms.
Baldwins accountants, which has ten offices across the region, is investing the six-figure sum in the next generation of aspiring business owners aged 18-to-25-year-olds over the following decade in the Baldwins Kick Start programme.
The winner of the 2013 award will be given a grant of £10,000 along with £10,000 worth of mentoring & accountancy advice and the two runners -up will be presented with £5,000 of mentoring & accountancy advice, the awards will run annually for 10 years meaning Baldwins will be handing out a total of £300,000 over the decade to thirty aspiring young entrepreneurs.
The winner of Baldwins Kick Start 2013 will be announced on Thursday, November 21 at a gala dinner at Villa Park to coincide with Global Entrepreneurship Week with all the profits from the evening being donated to the HelpHarryHelpOthers charity.
David Baldwin, who is a partner at Baldwins accountants, said Baldwins Kick Start was designed for innovative young entrepreneurs who have a good idea and would like to start their own business but need that financial kick start to get up and running.
“As one of the Midlands’ largest independent firms of accountants, we are in a position to encourage 18-to-25-year-olds to take a step forward in their careers,” he said.
“We want to support their enthusiasm and drive to back their idea and make a success of their business.
“This is not restricted to any particular sector and everyone who enters will need to put together a business plan.
“We will then invite ten people to attend an interview before the final three will give a presentation at the awards night when we will announce the winner.
“As well as awarding a £10,000 grant to the winner, our team of experts at Baldwins will provide thousands of pounds’ worth of advice, accountancy and mentoring fees to the winner and runners-up to help with getting their business off the ground because it is often in the first or second years when young companies can struggle.
“We are really excited to be launching this award and to be encouraging young entrepreneurs in the Midlands who just need a financial helping hand to get started to turn their idea into reality.”