Dear the future leader of our country,
Lesley Williams
CEO of Welsh ICE. Wishing to connect with anyone who believes in building entrepreneurial communities ??
As the CEO of a vibrant community of entrepreneurs, I'm reaching out with some ideas to accelerate the entrepreneurial spirit across the UK. We’d like to see you make the UK a nest for innovation and creativity - so here are a few thoughts…
Empowering Young Entrepreneurs
Some of the best business ideas we’ve seen through our training programmes have come from young people. Imagine a world where young people can unleash their entrepreneurial potential without the red tape. We believe that under-18s should be allowed to open business bank accounts. This simple step would also help budding entrepreneurs manage their finances better from a young age. Given the rise in youth entrepreneurship highlighted by the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor UK Report, this is surely a no-brainer!
Boosting EdTech Innovation
Let’s create many more opportunities for edtech entrepreneurs to pitch their brilliant solutions to the government and schools. ‘Meet The Buyer’ events are regularly held up and down the country, where innovators can showcase their products and tailor them to buyers’ needs. And let’s also make sure that these events give entrepreneurs the chance to really pitch their ideas. As a governor of my daughter's school, I know I’m not alone when I say that it's time to improve our classrooms with technology that not only builds essential skills but also frees up teachers' time to offer more emotional, social, and spiritual support.
Embedding Entrepreneurial Skills in Education
Picture this: a curriculum that nurtures entrepreneurial skills from primary school onwards. Sounds great, right? At Welsh ICE, we think the incoming government should ensure that essential entrepreneurial skills are woven into the fabric of our education system. By embedding these skills early, and supporting teachers to recognise and nurture entrepreneurial talent, we can grow a generation of innovative, confident, and business-savvy individuals ready to take on the world!
Supporting Female and Minority Entrepreneurs
Imagine a UK where diversity in entrepreneurship drives a wave of innovation and economic growth. We propose targeted business support programmes for female and minority entrepreneurs to level the playing field and unlock untapped potential. This support should include comprehensive training, dedicated mentoring, and accessible funding. We also urge collaboration with the media to spotlight underrepresented leaders and business owners, creating relatable role models to inspire the next generation.
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Business Incubators and Accelerators
Imagine vibrant hubs buzzing with the energy of startups, all supported with the space, mentorship, and networking opportunities they need to thrive. Business incubators and accelerators can be exceptionally effective in breeding innovation. Our Caerphilly hub and the accelerator programmes we run are shining examples of that! 95% of our members report that they don’t believe they would be as innovative with their business models if it hadn’t been for their membership with Welsh ICE. Centres like ours can also provide crucial access to legal and financial advice, helping startups navigate the challenges of their early days.
Access to Finance
Access to finance remains a significant barrier for many entrepreneurs. We propose establishing local investment funds and microfinance programmes to provide seed funding and low-interest loans to startups and small businesses. Encouraging partnerships with banks and private investors will increase the capital available across the country, ensuring that every great idea has the chance to flourish.
Sustainable Funding for Business Support
Welsh ICE currently manages several SPF-funded projects aimed at helping businesses start, grow, and thrive. Since Brexit, we have had to adapt to the evolving funding landscape, and as a social enterprise, we still rely significantly on SPF funding. During the election campaign, there has been little discussion about the future funding model for councils. I truly hope that business support will remain a priority to ensure a strong entrepreneurial landscape in Wales and the rest of the UK.
Looking forward to your thoughts and to a bright, entrepreneurial future for the UK!
Kind regards,
Lesley Williams CEO, Welsh Innovation Centre for Enterprise (Welsh ICE)
Great initiative! Fostering entrepreneurship from a young age and ensuring access to funding, mentorship, and education will drive long-term economic growth.
Co- Founder and CEO at Community Volunteers Wales
8 个月Primary schools often do a University week or an entrepreneur week but it really should be built in and cross curricular. Most schools struggle with fundraising and PTA engagement but have loads of little entrepreneur brains in school every day. Talk about untapped potential!
Helping Companies by providing portfolio FD and business coaching services. Experienced director across range of sectors and organisation sizes.
8 个月Excellent article Lesley, let's hope for some engagement.
MAAT, Xero Expert, Digital Accounts & Business Consultant
8 个月These are so key Lesley ???? Completely agree with the education piece, why not teach the skills that can be transferable instead of material that won’t be used in the everyday
Email Marketing for Small Service Providers | Small Business Marketing Coach | Making marketing less scary for small business owners
8 个月I love number 3. I've been saying this for years! I'd add this: don't make solo business owners feel like they have a hobby instead of a business. Invest in them too.