Social entrepreneurs in Manchester are urged to enter a new funding competition, culminating in a glamorous pitching event.
Designed to drive positive social change, Ignite is being launched by the Bolton-based Ford Family Foundation and is supported by leading UK universities.
The overall winner will receive a £20,000 impact accelerator grant to scale up their transformative enterprise, with a further £30,000 being shared between the other four finalists.
University students and recent graduates need to enter their existing social enterprise by July 19, to be in with a chance of securing not only the funding but expert mentoring and valuable networking opportunities.
Each business will need to provide a 1500-word written application or six slide pitch deck, a five minute video pitch and financial projections for the next 12 months.
The shortlist of five will be announced in August ahead of a final pitching and celebration event on the evening of October 3, overseen by industry expert judges.
Ford Family Foundation and Ignite founder, Tony Ford, said: “We want to hear from ambitious social entrepreneurs on a mission to make a lasting difference with their emerging business. These rising stars may still be at university or will have graduated in the last three years and will be keen to showcase how their social enterprise has the potential to solve existing problems and improve lives.”
Durham University’s senior enterprise manager, Marek Tokarski, said: “Ignite represents a groundbreaking collaboration between Durham University and the Ford Family Foundation, equipping students with the tools, resources, and mentorship needed to transform their innovative ideas into impactful social enterprises. We’re proud to be the first university to get behind this transformative pitching competition, with the process alone providing a rewarding experience for those taking part.”
