Sixteen of the UK’s top social enterprise female entrepreneurs will receive practical guidance and advice on how to set-up their business to maximise growth and minimise tax at a three-day Bootcamp event in Nottingham.
Jill Evenden, managing director of Nottingham’s EBS Accountants, is guest speaker at the event at the Nottingham CleanTech Centre next week (9th – 11th December 2013).
The sixteen female entrepreneurs taking part each won their place in a competition run by the WisEE – pronounced wizzy – (Women in Social and Environmental Enterprise) project.
Nick Gostick, Managing Director of Inntropy and Nottingham CleanTech Centre, and partner on the WiSEE project, explained “These very talented women from across the country are members of the Change Agents UK’s WiSEE network, and pitched their social enterprise idea in the WiSEE national competition to win one of the sixteen free spots on the three-day Bootcamp at the Nottingham CleanTech Centre next week.
“It is great they are coming to Nottingham to kick-start their social and green entrepreneurial careers. It’s also fantastic to have the support of local businesses, including EBS and its MD Jill Evenden, who will be sharing their experience and expertise with women determined to make a positive impact in their communities through enterprise.”
The entrepreneurs put forward their original applications to a panel of Judges featuring leaders in the social enterprise and green sector including: Sue Riddlestone (BioRegional), Tim Smit (The Eden Project), Servane Mouazan (Ogunte), Anna Simpson (Green Futures Magazine), Sophie Antonelli (the Green backyard) and Meghan Sapp (Planet Energy).
Jill Evenden said: “The sixteen finalists will be put through their paces at the Bootcamp by a number of experts, and I will take them through the key points to consider when setting up their business. For example, setting up as a Limited company may save on the business’ tax, so it is vital they take relevant advice early on and up front to get this right. Limited companies are liable to Corporation Tax and will probably be VAT registered, depending on their size, and Corporation tax is due nine months after the year end.”
Following the Bootcamp, each participant will be assigned an experienced mentor – recruited and trained by WiSEE partners at NETPositive Futures – who will provide expert guidance and support as participants bring their enterprise to market.
“The WiSEE Finalists will launch a range of businesses over the coming year, including community cafes, sustainability educational programmes, waste services, mobile health units, sustainable lifestyle initiatives, ethical fashion and recycled accessories amongst other exciting ventures,” added Nick.
Change Agents’ WiSEE was awarded a grant from The Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) as part of the Group’s Inspiring Enterprise initiative, which is encouraging a more entrepreneurial culture. The grant has enabled WiSEE to be offered entirely free to women who want to get involved.
