During Global Entrepreneurship Week (18-25 November), ten selected applicants will pitch their business ideas in a Dragon’s Den-style event in Manchester. Eligible applicants must come from less advantaged backgrounds and own a business that has been operating for 2-3 years, with a purpose that extends beyond profit.

Following the pitch event, a panel of local entrepreneurial talent will select four finalists, from which the Havas Boost board will choose the ultimate winner.

Havas Boost has chosen to operate out of Manchester to directly support entrepreneurs in the North West, a decision informed by a YouGov survey of 2,500 Brits conducted on behalf of HMN UK. The survey revealed that:

• 40% of under-35s from less advantaged backgrounds in the North West feel there are limited opportunities to start a business in Great Britain, compared to just 19% in London.
• Despite these challenges, 60% of respondents in the region express interest in starting their own business, more than double the national average of 26%.

The 2024 Havas Boost programme is backed 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, Havas Media Network's in-house design and marketing team has launched an out-of-home (OOH) and digital advertising campaign across Manchester, running for two weeks starting Monday, 9 September.

For more details and to apply for the Havas Boost programme, visit havasboost.com.

James Reddington, Joint General Manager of Havas Media Manchester, stated, “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.”