A New Venture to Celebrate and Recognise Entrepreneurship Across the UK
In an exciting development for the entrepreneurial community across the United Kingdom, a groundbreaking new business initiative has been announced. Spearheaded by Professor Dylan Jones- Evans OBE and Francesca James, this initiative aims to unify various entrepreneurial awards and communities under one banner. Known as Ideas Forums, the venture will operate under the name IDEAS, representing a significant step forward in celebrating and supporting UK entrepreneurship.
IDEAS will encapsulate the Great British Entrepreneur Awards & Community, the UK Fast Growth 50 Index, StartUp Awards, and Ideas Fest into a consolidated effort to enrich the UK’s entrepreneurial landscape. This initiative is not just about organizing events; it aims to provide a comprehensive support system for the burgeoning community of founders, while also compiling valuable insights and reports on startups and scale-ups through collaboration with Starling Bank on the Annual StartUp Survey.
The vision behind IDEAS is backed by significant financial investment from Nick Pritchard, the founder of City Energy Network Ltd. His commitment involves a substantial six-figure investment and a strategic move to join the board of directors, thereby propelling IDEAS towards realizing its ambitious objectives. This support extends beyond financial backing, as Pritchard has also undertaken to acquire the historical Conwy County Borough Council offices at Bodlondeb in Conwy. The goal is to transform this iconic building into a premier business centre aimed at fostering entrepreneurship and stimulating local and regional economic growth.
The transformation of Bodlondeb into a hub for innovation and enterprise signifies more than just a physical renovation. It symbolizes a nurturing ground for aspiring entrepreneurs, particularly the youth, by providing them with not only free space but crucial support to turn their innovative ideas into successful businesses. The intention is to make a substantial impact on various sectors and contribute to the local economy significantly.
Furthermore, IDEAS is set to collaborate with established entrepreneurs across Wales to create a seed fund. This fund will be instrumental in offering the necessary financial support and mentorship to young entrepreneurs, aiding in their ventures’ growth and success. The collective ambition of IDEAS and its supporters is to build an ecosystem where entrepreneurship thrives, creating hundreds of new jobs and injecting tens of millions of pounds into the economy over the next five years.
As Professor Dylan Jones- Evans OBE passionately states, this initiative is about more than establishing a central location for business innovation. It’s about creating a beacon of enterprise that shines brightly, inspiring and driving the spirit of entrepreneurship throughout the region and beyond. With Bodlondeb at its heart, IDEAS aims to be the catalyst for groundbreaking ideas and transformative ventures that will shape the future of the UK’s entrepreneurial landscape.
As IDEAS moves forward, it promises to be a pivotal moment for entrepreneurship in the UK, offering unprecedented support and recognition for the country’s innovators and visionaries. This new venture marks the beginning of an exciting journey, one that promises to redefine what it means to be an entrepreneur in today’s rapidly evolving business world.
