If you’ve got a winning business idea<\/a>, you’ll need funding to get it off the ground. And who better to get it from than a dragon like Peter Jones?<\/p>\n
The Dragon Den<\/a> investor’s foundation, the Peter Jones Foundation, has partnered with business advisory firm FRP to expand its National Entrepreneur of the Year (NEOY) competition this year.<\/p>\n
The NEOY competition is a longstanding initiative which aims to empower young entrepreneurs to reach their business goals.<\/p>\n
It champions budding business founders from underserved communities and underrepresented backgrounds, already launching the careers of many.<\/p>\n
Previous winner, Ross Bailey, founded the online commercial rental marketplace, AppearHere, at the age of 19. He’s gone on to raise over $20 million in venture capital <\/a>funding and was named one of Forbes Europe’s 30 Under 30.<\/p>\n
Five winners will be able to pitch their business<\/a> to a panel of judges, including Peter Jones CBE and Geoff Rowley, CEO of FRP.<\/p>\n
The competition is open to those aged between 16-21 on May 30, 2025.<\/p>\n
To apply for NEOY<\/a>, you must already be running a small business or side hustle that generates revenue. Alternatively, you can apply with a strongly developed business concept, including a prototype or minimum viable product.<\/p>\n
If all this is in order, you can begin your application, which consists of a written form<\/strong> and a video <\/strong>elevator pitch<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n
As of this year, the rules have changed to welcome young entrepreneurs aged 16 to 21, opening the door to a wider pool of Gen Z founders<\/a>.<\/p>\n
For more ways to fund your business, check out our guide to the top small business grants <\/a>for UK entrepreneurs.<\/strong><\/p>\n
The post Peter Jones announces entrepreneur competition with \u00a310,000 cash prize<\/a> appeared first on Startups.co.uk<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"