Surrey’s graduates given a Flying Start
Thursday 19 November 2009
Friday 20 November: free event for budding Zuckerburgs (Facebook founder) looking to start their own business
Graduates thinking about starting their own business are being encouraged to this week’s Surrey FlyingStart: Make it Happen day, and turn their business idea into reality. The free, one day event, held at the University of Surrey, Wates House, takes place from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Friday, 20 November.
The Make It Happen day is just the first step in a 12 month support programme for those who want to progress their business idea. To find out more, or to register for the event, graduates should visit: www.flyingstartonline.com/makeithappen
FlyingStart: Make it Happen will give graduates the opportunity to network with like-minded people, giving them the motivation needed to take the first step. Those who choose to move forward with their plans will have the opportunity to meet with mentors dedicated to guiding them in their early career. These highly experienced, business mentors will be on hand to offer support and guidance free of charge for the next 12 months.
The Surrey day is one of 50 such events happening across the country. In total, 5,000 graduates will get the opportunity to attend a rally - a result of an extra £1 million investment by the Government aimed at inspiring them to start up their own businesses.
David Lammy, Minister for Higher Education, said: “The skills and talents of Surrey’s young people are essential as we build a stronger Britain. It will be their enterprise and entrepreneurship which will give us and them the competitive edge we need.
“In the last downturn household names such as Green and Blacks chocolate and eBay were created by young entrepreneurs. We are harnessing the entrepreneurial spirit of our new generation of graduates, providing opportunities for 5,000 to explore starting up their own business.
“FlyingStart: Make it Happen is a important addition to the range of options available to recent graduates including internships, further study and volunteering.”
Building on the Success of the FlyingStart scheme launched in 2005, the Surrey Make It Happen day will cover a range of topics, including:
•How to find and develop a sustainable money making idea
•Details on how to start a business
•Information on what it is like to be self employed
•Ways to access available funding to give businesses a flying start
Local gradpreneur and owner of Nicola De Cruz Accessories, Nicola De Cruz, 26, said: "Attending the FlyingStart programme helped me to head in the right direction with pricing items, as well as meeting other people in the same industry with small businesses too.”
Since July 2005, the FlyingStart programme, run by the National Council for Graduate Entrepreneurship, has been successful in starting up 432 businesses, holding 469 workshops and offering 816 hours of training/support.
For more info please visit: www.flyingstartonline.com/makeithappen\
