LDC backs charity in new entrepreneurship programme
A charity has teamed up with a private equity house to launch a new support programme for young entrepreneurs.
The Prince’s Trust is working with LDC on the scheme which is an extension to its existing ‘Enterprise’ programme. It will initially be available just in the Midlands before being rolled out nationwide.
Under the ‘Enterprise Advance’ initiative, entrepreneurs aged 18 to 30 will receive help and guidance for the first three years of trading their companies.
Entrepreneurs will be able to access a designated mentor, structured business reviews to track progress against targets, workshops and networking opportunities.
The Enterprise programme supports young people from all walks of life, including disadvantaged communities across the country to launch their own businesses.
LDC, the private equity arm of Lloyds Banking Group, first partnered with the trust in 2019 to support the initiative and has so far helped almost 4,000 young people work on businesses.
Chris Handy, partner and head of the West Midlands region, said: “Young entrepreneurs play a vital role in the economy, both here in the West Midlands and across the UK.
“It’s crucial that we equip them with the necessary tools, skills and funding to grow and sustain their businesses. These individuals are driving innovation, progress and improvements in society and they’re our next generation of business leaders.”
Jonathan Townsend, UK chief executive of The Prince’s Trust, added: “Since launching our Enterprise programme in 1983, we’ve supported more than 91,000 young entrepreneurs to kickstart their own businesses and that’s something we’re incredibly proud of.
“Enterprise Advance takes the support we can offer even further – it’s a flexible, broad-ranging programme that will help young entrepreneurs to go on and grow their businesses in those crucial early years after launching.”