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£150k up for grabs to fund a north west business

£150k of funding, advertising, and resource support is up for grabs for one budding entrepreneur from less advantaged backgrounds outside of London thanks to an entrepreneurship programme Havas Boost launched by Havas Media Network UK.

Ten applicants will have the opportunity to pitch their business ideas in a Dragon’s Den-style event during Global Entrepreneurship Week (18–25 November 2024). Applicants must come from less advantaged backgrounds and own a business (2–3 years) demonstrating a purpose beyond profit.  

Following the Dragon’s Den-style pitch in Manchester, four prospective candidates will be chosen by a panel of judges consisting of local entrepreneurial talent from the region. Havas Boost’s board will select the eventual winner. 

Havas Boost will be based out of Manchester to bring the programme closer to those it can make most difference for. The decision was based on insight from a survey conducted by YouGov of 2500 Brits on behalf of HMN UK that: 

  • Two-fifths (40%) of less advantaged under-35s in the North West feel there are not good opportunities for people from less advantaged backgrounds to set up a business in Great Britain versus just 19% of people in London.
  • This is despite three-fifths expressing interest in starting their own business one day, more than double the British population (26%). 

The 2024 Havas Boost programme will be supported by the Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce, the UK's largest accredited chamber with over 4,000 members, and the award-winning charity, Media Trust. 

To raise awareness, HMN’s in-house design and marketing team has developed an OOH and digital advertising campaign that will run across Manchester for two weeks, which started on 9th September 2024. 

For more information and to apply for the Havas Boost programme, visit the Havas Boost website. 

James Reddington, Joint General Manager, Havas Media Manchester, said: "Around two-thirds of UK businesses are based outside of London, yet it doesn’t feel much of an even playing field. The advertising industry, as a key growth driver for the UK economy, is in a unique position to play its part in giving the rest of the country a bit of a boost. Havas Boost reflects our commitment to driving meaningful change both within and beyond our industry."