Young
entrepreneurs with bright ideas for a new enterprise have the opportunity,
at this year's Venturefest in Oxford, to develop their plans with help from
some of the UK's most experienced business advisers. The Young Persons'
Business Plan Clinic, which will be held on the second day of the event, 26
June, is open to anyone aged between 16 and 25 seeking assistance with a
fledgling business concept. On offer to the best plan seen by the advice
panel is a cash prize of £500, donated by clinic sponsor, Business Boffins.
For the best idea, Strategic Management Resources has donated £250.
Chairing
the clinic will be Roger Mumby-Croft, director of the Enterprise Centre,
Oxford Brookes University Business School. "The clinic sessions have
been specifically designed to promote a relaxed, informal environment for
one-to-one coaching that stimulates the open exchange of innovative
ideas."
Venturefest
is an international event, held this year on 25 to 26 June at the Culham
Science Centre. It brings together entrepreneurs, investors and support
services to assist in the launch of successful new-technology based
businesses. The clinic was introduced last year to help foster innovation
through coaching. Last year's winner, UNIque Students developed an
Internet-based student service company which, with assistance from
Venturefest mentors, has gone on to launch its services nationwide.
"It
is not essential to present a fully developed business plan," says Dr
Russell Smith of Business Boffins and a member of the clinic's professional
advice panel. "It's the raw ideas, talent and enthusiasm that we are
hoping to attract and help develop."
To
apply for a free 30 minute clinic session, entrants should e-mail a one-page
business summary (as a Word file attachment) to Dr Russell Smith at russell@businessboffins.com
before 30 May 2001.