By using 'The Dragons Den' format event, we allowed young entrepreneurs to pitch their ideas in front of a room of business leaders and a panel of judges. Former Adam Bradford Agency has put out a call for applications for participants to apply, where they were then shortlisted. Finalists received some training and help through various sessions in the lead-up to the event day, upon which they each gave their business pitch. The winner then usually received a prize that included mentorship and startup assistance, publicity and a small monetary grant.

Our work with Pearson Business School was to develop a social entrepreneurship module for business students at Pearson. This included course content, a syllabus and learning materials. We also then had to provide a practical element at the end of the course, where students would pitch their business ideas (in exactly the same style of event as Inspiring Futures, in a room with an audience and a panel of judges), where the winner would again win ongoing support to develop their idea.

This Hackathon was aimed at locals in the rural districts in the Northern Province, to teach and encourage social entrepreneurship. Participants would identify and solve major rural problems by bringing together this diverse group of young innovative thinkers and potential change-makers, sustainably improving rural people’s livelihoods. This also then ended with a pitch event with a large audience of locals, for participants in their groups to share their business ideas which would impact and benefit the community.

This was originally a three-day workshop where participants were educated about the themes and topics of creative thinking, public speaking, and leadership. They received various learning materials and booklets to keep and presented ideas they developed throughout the course in a quick presentation at the end.

We facilitated the launch of Look Like Me Book Challenge through creation of PR strategies and campaigns such as online publicity and strategic advice and support, with actively being involved in developing ideas to take the brand further, as well as I believe sitting on their board and being available to give advice.