A finalist on TVs The Apprentice has said Hull is the UKs best city for encouraging entrepreneurs to work with future businesspeople.
Ruth Badger, runner-up on the second series of the BBC reality show, is again urging budding tycoons from the city to pitch their winning ideas to her.
The well-known businesswoman, 39, created the Badgers Sett Enterprise Challenge nine years ago to give young people the opportunity to become involved in enterprise.
The competition is open to aspiring businesspeople aged 29 or under in Hull, the East Riding and the Scarborough and Ryedale areas of North Yorkshire. Entrants can put forward an idea for a new business, co-operative or community project, or an enterprising school or college project.
Ruth Badger said: I am very passionate about enterprise and ensuring young people have the opportunity to engage in it.
Out of all the cities and towns in the UK that I work with, I believe that Hull is the best at engaging real entrepreneurs and successful businesses in partnering up with future young entrepreneurs, and that is why I set up this competition in this area with Hull City Council and the John Cracknell Youth Enterprise Bank nine years ago.
I want to encourage young people in Hull and the East Riding, Ryedale and Scarborough to come forward and grasp the opportunity to develop their idea on their own, especially if they need some extra confidence with financial resource and mentoring.
The competition is supported by Hull Training and Adult Education, the John Cracknell Youth Enterprise Bank and GH Events.
Prizes for each category are:
Primary school: up to £500
Secondary school: up to £750
Post-16/business idea for those aged 16 to 29: up to £1,000
Councillor Martin Mancey, portfolio holder for Economic Investment, Regeneration and Planning, said: As a council, we have a real commitment to developing an enterprise culture amongst our young people through the Hull Youth Enterprise Partnership, so that they in turn can grasp any future opportunities presented to them through the work they do.
I am pleased that once again, Ruth has committed her support to this enterprise challenge and we look forward to working with the winners in the future as the micro-businesses that young people set up are certainly part of our economic future and I am delighted that the competition is now available to young people from outside Hull and will benefit from a competition that was started in Hull.
The deadline for entries is June 20. To request an entry form, email [email protected] or call 01482 613 489 or 07990 510 211.
For more information, visit hullbadgers.co.uk