Young Entrepreneurs Programme
Young Entrepreneurs Programme
The Young Entrepreneur Programme was designed to support the next generation of business leaders across North Essex.
About the programme
NEEB understands that long-term prosperity depends on investing in young people. The Young Entrepreneur Programme 2024 – 2025 supported 13–25-year-olds to turn ideas into viable businesses by building confidence, skills, and real-world experience. By connecting education with enterprise, NEEB helped to shape a generation of resilient, innovative future business leaders.
This programme has now come to an end, but we celebrate the impact it had on the young business leaders of the future.
The Young Entrepreneur Programme Included:
Find out about the support offered by this programme and it’s impact.
Earniversity
A standout element of this work is Earniversity, which supported nearly 70 students aged 13–18 to launch their own ventures. In just six weeks, the first cohort collectively earned £13,000, proving both the ambition of young people and the effectiveness of NEEB’s hands-on approach. The programme covers marketing, budgeting, and product development, supported by mentoring from local business leaders.
“For my Entrepreneurship I have roughly earnt around £500-£600 pounds and have many more jobs booked in for the next couple of months. I am hoping I can use these new and refined skills to grow my working empire”
Oliver Warnsbey, Colchester College sixth form – 17
Rebel +
Tailored guidance from experienced business experts to help navigate challenges and develop your business. Gain access to the knowledge and tools you need to succeed in the early stages of entrepreneurship.
Through its Rebel+ partnership, NEEB extends entrepreneurial training beyond the classroom. Thirty young entrepreneurs have accessed online learning and support, enabling them to progress side hustles and business ideas at their own pace and build commercially viable ventures.
Young Entrepreneurs Networking Event
To inspire and connect the next generation, NEEB hosted a Young Entrepreneur Networking Event in May, bringing together business leaders, mentors, and students. The event explored topics such as AI, business ownership, and available support, fostering ambition and building bridges between today’s entrepreneurs and tomorrow’s innovators.
Support for young market traders
NEEB recognised the rise in creative Young Entrepreneurs looking to explore selling their products via local markets. To facilitate their entrance into commerce, NEEB offered participants 20 x Free membership in the National Market Traders Federation (NMTF) and 20 x £200 seed grants to help bring their business ideas to life.
A total of £900 in seed grants was been awarded to aspiring traders. Several of these young entrepreneurs have gone on to represent North Essex in the NMTF Young Market Trader of the Year competition, receiving national recognition for their talent and enterprise. These successes not only spotlight individual achievement but also reinforce North Essex’s reputation as a region that champions youth entrepreneurship and innovation.
