20.07.2006
A student from the University of Brighton has been selected by the National Council for Graduate Entrepreneurship (NCGE) from hundreds of applicants to participate in an intensive, three day residential programme to develop his business idea and get on the road to entrepreneurial success.
Following a nationwide hunt by the National Council for Graduate Entrepreneurship to find the country's most promising entrepreneurial talent, Shawn de Freitas will join 60 students and recent graduates chosen to present their ideas at the prestigious event, taking place in Reading from 24 - 26 July.
Shawn is a postgraduate student at university and is in the process of setting up an interactive social networking community which will work across the internet, TV and mobile phones, and encourage participants to engage with it to a greater degree than conventional online dating services.
The event, which is also supported by the South East England Development Agency (SEEDA), is designed to give these aspiring entrepreneurs valuable exposure to like-minded young people, potential investors and business developers.
Over the three days, their business ideas will be developed through workshops on topics ranging from how to design your business model to how to market your business; and they will be expected to pitch their ideas to seasoned business executives. Participants will also have their own mentor; who will work with them throughout the programme and for a subsequent 12 months.
Commenting on his success, Shawn de Freitas, said:
"I'm thrilled to have been selected for the three-day Flying Start event. It's great to have access to the kind of business advice the programme will provide - I am determined to make my business a success and it will certainly help me take the next steps. I am also looking forward to meeting other young entrepreneurs and sharing our experiences; as well as learning how to network with the important businessmen and women who'll be attending."
Dr. Lorna Collins, director of Flying Start and national mentor to the participants, added:
"Flying Start offers graduates and students a platform to develop their ideas and enables them to reach a stage where they are able to begin trading. I am delighted to say that 37 out of the 80 participants from Flying Start last year are now trading and I hope that we will see an equally, if not more, encouraging result from this programme."
"By tailoring the scheme to the individual entrepreneurs they are able to make the most of the opportunities and commercial sectors open to them and their business concept. A growing number of graduates are interested in becoming entrepreneurs and have the drive and determination to take their concepts forward, which is an exciting process for them, the NCGE and also the UK economy."
Contact: Marketing and Communications, University of Brighton, 01273 643022
