The Youth Investment Fund
- By Richard Branson -
- Jan 24, 2012
Virgin Media Pioneers is leading the campaign to help young entrepreneurs get the backing they need to succeed in business, through the Youth Investment Fund. After speaking at the House of Commons Select Committee today I met MPs to talk about Virgin Media Pioneers' campaign.
There is already government funding for people who go to university but there is no help to encourage people to start businesses. What we are suggesting is if people have good business ideas they should be able to get funding to start up their idea. Possibly it should be vetted and matched by another business or a bank so the government know it has got a reasonable chance of success.
It could also work that people who go to university to study business could develop their ideas during their course, leave after a year of learning the basics, and use the last two years of their business grant to start a business. The UK is full of talented, ambitious young people, but there are many obstacles to unlocking their entrepreneurial potential. The Youth Investment Fund is a great way to give new businesses the kick-start they need.
For more on this subject, I spoke recently on the World At One on why we must do more to ensure new business talent isn't held back by a lack of support - listen here from 35 minutes.
What do you think about these ideas? Let us know below or on the Virgin Media Pioneers website. We would love to hear your thoughts.
By Richard Branson. Founder of Virgin Group
