A highly successful project piloted in Flintshire to help people set up their own businesses is being extended to Wrexham with support from the Welsh Government.
Businessman Askar Sheibani, who was appointed as one of Wales’ Entrepreneurship Champions by Economy Minister Edwina Hart, has launched the Business Entrepreneurship Network (BEN) for Wrexham which will run for a trial 12 month period.
Its progress will be monitored by an independent organisation appointed by the Welsh Government who will report back to the Minister at the end of the year.
Mr Sheibani, CEO of Telecoms repair and support company Comtek, said:” The aim is to increase the number of business start-ups in Wales and this trial in Wrexham will give us a better idea of how the Flintshire model can be improved and applied in other regions.
“The Wrexham trial is supported by the Welsh Government and we are confident that the model – which was developed within the community at a grass roots level – will prove to be a practical and innovative way to increase the level of entrepreneurship and business start ups in Wales.”
Economy Minister Edwina Hart said:” The Welsh Government is committed to encouraging entrepreneurship and supporting business start ups which have the potential to play a very important role in job creation and growth. I should like to thank Askar Sheibani for the work he has done in Flintshire and I am pleased to support the extension of the Business Entrepreneurship Network to Wrexham and will be watching its development with interest.”
The Wrexham Business Entrepreneurship Network builds on the success of the Flintshire model which has been running for a year and identifies budding entrepreneurs through Dragon’s Den style events.
They are supported through an Enterprise Club which meets fortnightly and provides support and business skills training and the chance to network, exchange ideas and support each other. They are also invited to local business events to meet business people and give professional presentations at business gatherings.
Successful local entrepreneurs act as advisors and mentors and the Club is supported by teams from the Welsh Government, Glyndwr University and Flintshire County Council
The Flintshire Enterprise Club has 55 members, some of whom are already trading, two of them exporting and one was recognised with a young entrepreneur of the year award.
The first of the Dragon Den style events will be held on March 28th at Wrexham Stadium.
The Wrexham project will also be filmed by students at Glyndwr University, and their video will be showcased at key events.
Mr Sheibani added: “Like Flintshire, Wrexham has a wealth of raw talent that simply needs to be nurtured by experienced entrepreneurs and supported by the local community. “
Neil Rogers, leader of Wrexham County Borough Council said: “Wrexham Council is supportive of this initiative which will bring together hopeful entrepreneurs and the successful businesses that are already operating in Wrexham. The BEN will also give the young talent that we have in Wrexham the opportunity to bring their ideas forward.”