Braintree: Free funding for young entrepreneurs

Braintree District Council's Young Entrepreneurs programme will give you support to start your own innovative business, including:

• Training
• Guidance
• Funding up to £3000

How to get funding

There are four stages to getting on its Young Entrepreneurs programme with lots of support along the way.

Step 1: Submit your idea

Make a three-minute video that includes:

• Your name, age and where you live
• Why you want to run your own business and what it would mean to you
• What your business idea is and its potential
• Any challenges and obstacles facing the business idea that the funding and support will help overcome
• The amount of funding you would like and what you will use it for

Once you have made your video, put it on YouTube and send the link by email to the economic development team.

Step 2: Workshops and training

If your application is put through to the next stage, you will be invited to come to some business support workshops. These will give you the skills you need to develop your business plan.

Step 3: Business plan

After your workshops and training, you’ll need to develop your business plan.

Step 4: Make a presentation

The final step is to present your business idea to the Young Entrepreneurs group. They will help you make sure your idea is viable and sustainable, and give you the good-to-go on the funding for your business.

Eligibility requirements

• Aged 16 to 30
• A resident of the district
• Looking to start your business
• It cannot provide funding for businesses that are already trading