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Grow an Entrepreneur for Tomorrow

Funded on Spacehive 26 July 2013

Impact data and claims within this report are provided by the project creator and have not been independently verified by Spacehive.

Grow an Entrepreneur for Tomorrow

HWBIDCo Ltd By HWBIDCo Ltd

Help us turn an empty shop into a buzzing hub for young entrepreneurs! We'll create space where imaginations can be unleashed and bright business ideas brought to life.

High Wycombe Delivery stage

39
backers
£51,079
raised
funded icon
This project was funded on 26 Jul 2013!

With youth unemployment and shops vacancies both at record highs, we’ve developed a great idea that tackles both issues.

Our new Ideas Hub, will allow budding entrepreneurs to share business ideas, get advice, and access support.

Whether designing and selling clothes, creating new smartphone apps, setting up a radio station, or cooking culinary treats to service hungry traders, the bright ideas are out there. We just need to give them the right space to grow.

The Hub will host five groups of young people, on three-month stints. Part of the money raised by our funding campaign will provide seed funding for the best business ideas, along with support from experienced businesses in the community.

The aim is to nurture bright ideas into full-fledged enterprises in the real world. If you would like to see one of the town's empty spaces turned into a factory for young entrepreneurs, please click "pledge" above to back this project!

What we'll deliver:

  • Provide seed funding for each young-person group to support their business idea
  • Secure the short-term lease of a commercial unit in High Wycombe town centre
  • Document and evaluate the project as an educational legacy
  • Get 30-35 young people into business over 15 months
  • Pay for the provision of accredited training for young participants
  • Pay the overhead costs of the commercial space

Why it's a great idea:

We believe that our town must evolve and adapt to become a 'high street' of the future that is not solely reliant on retail outlets to fill its commercial space.

We can no longer rely on the expansion of national chains to fill our vacant space. We need fresh, distinctive ideas.

We want to use some of our vacant spaces to inspire new business types and new people. We also believe that many young people have limited their ambition and creativity simply because they are not given the freedom to express themselves; to try new ideas; and to make mistakes without feeling like they've failed.

This project will provide that freedom, whilst drawing on the expertise of existing local independent businesses. The ability of these businesses to support, mentor, educate, and challenge our young entrepreneurs will be a hugely valuable part of what makes the initiative a success.

Steps to get it done:

  • Engage young people through established and trusted organisations
  • Use HWBIDCo, and its Board, as the accountable body for the project
  • Use our extensive contacts and partners as a project resource
  • Work with social media partners to document the project
  • Work with Wycombe District Council and a landlord to secure premises
  • Work with Wycombe Youth Action, Bucks 4C, Bucks Business First and Bucks New University Business Students as our board.

This is an innovative project that combines remedial measures for empty commercial space with the creative engagement of both local business and young people.

It promises a legacy far in excess of the project lifetime, growing into something that binds people from all corners of the community together.

The mechanism for funding the project is innovative too. Funding from a Business Improvement District company, Town Team money, corporate sponsorship and public sector funding have combined to create a solid foundation. We are asking you help us “crowd-fund” the rest.

We have considerable expertise in delivering a broad range of innovative projects, through direct funding and grant programmes. We have the trust and respect of a range of local stakeholders and businesses. We also have political support. So we are confident we have the ability to deliver our promises.

Location High Wycombe

About the space

A vacant commercial unit in High Wycombe town centre

Council

Wycombe District Council

How will the money be spent?Target (inc. fees)  £51,352

Young People Pop-Up business (x4) - pump prime funding - £22,500
Commercial Unit - Overheads - £10,000
Commercial Unit - Business Rates - £10,000
Project Documentation - analysis and challenge through social media - £3,200
Practical Education and Learning legacy for schools and young people orgs - £2,500
Young People Pop-Up business - accredited training - £1,500
Project Evaluation - £500

Costs Breakdown

This shows how money raised for the project will be spent. These costs have been confirmed by the project's Delivery Manager and verified.

Young People Pop-Up business (x4) - pump prime funding
£22,500
Commercial Unit - Overheads
£10,000
Commercial Unit - Business Rates
£10,000
Project Documentation - analysis and challenge through social media
£3,200
Practical Education and Learning legacy for schools and young people orgs
£2,500
Young People Pop-Up business - accredited training
£1,500
Project Evaluation
£500

Target (inc. fees)  £51,352

Our Volunteer List

We're currently looking for people to offer skills and time to develop our project! Check out the list of what we need below and then use the 'Volunteer' button to the right to get involved.

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