The EnterprisingYou program of GM Business Growth Hub proudly collaborated for the first time with The Prince’s Trust to organise an exclusive meet-up event for young entrepreneurs aged 18 to 30. The event took place on July 24th at the Generator’s coworking space located at the Royal Mills, a grade II-listed historical building in Ancoats, Manchester, steeped in the city’s rich industrial history.

Famous for its rich history as an industrial powerhouse, Manchester also boasts a vibrant and diverse cultural scene and a rapidly growing business ecosystem. This unique blend of energy and creativity makes it an ideal environment for startups to thrive, inspiring the younger generation to pursue their ambition of becoming entrepreneurs.

Starting a new business is never an easy task and requires various talents. However, the business journey never needs to be a lonely one. The young entrepreneurs’ meet-up event, co-hosted by EnterprisingYou and The Prince’s Trust, is designed to provide an excellent platform for like-minded young entrepreneurs to gather and connect. It offers a wealth of supporting services and opportunities for possible collaboration, reassuring young entrepreneurs that they are not alone in their journey.

During an interactive session at the event, Ian Taylor, a veteran in teambuilding, corporate communications, and events business, shared his business journey. After graduating from university, he started his business with support from The Prince’s Trust and grew it into a multi-million-pound enterprise based in the UK, working globally with brands including Virgin, Marriott, Adidas, and Apple. Ian emphasised the importance of developing the right mindset for success and ways to identify target customers. He also covered the basics of managing finances and cash flow, which are crucial for any startup business.

Casius Lee, the founder of Chuddee, also shares his entrepreneurial journey. Having recently been supported by The Prince’s Trust and EnterprisingYou programs, Casius shared his personal perspective on both programs.

Casius said, “I found the experience incredibly valuable. Not only did I gain a deeper understanding of the fantastic support provided by The Prince’s Trust and Growth Hub, but I also had the opportunity to listen to others' inspiring journeys and connect with like-minded individuals.”

“Through our Enterprise course, The Prince’s Trust has helped over 90,000 young people to start their own business,” said Richard Dunbar, Youth Development Lead at The Prince’s Trust in Manchester. “From training and mentoring support to funding and resources, we’re here to support young entrepreneurs across the UK to turn their business ideas into a reality.

“We’re thrilled to collaborate with GM Business Growth Hub to demonstrate the support available to young entrepreneurs and nurture the growth of the next generation of business owners in Greater Manchester.”

“EnterprisingYou have a strong foundation in providing tailored support to help those with a budding business idea, as well as established self-employed individuals, freelancers and gig economy workers in Greater Manchester,” said Yvonne Sampson, Head of Enterprise, GM Business Growth Hub.

“Manchester has a tradition of being the starting point for ambitious entrepreneurs to embark on their business journey. We are delighted to work with The Prince’s Trust in supporting our young generation here to follow in the footsteps of their predecessors in realising their dreams and driving our national economy forward.”