This month PET-Xi celebrated its 100th learner to sign up for their new Business Futures Programme
The free six-week Business Futures programme provides budding Warwickshire entrepreneurs with a range of business support and advice as well as the opportunity to take part in a Dragon’s Den-style pitch for the opportunity to receive a £1,000 grant to help launch their idea.
It aims to support jobseekers across the county to develop their entrepreneurial skills to launch a business and become their own boss.
The course includes pre-recorded content, enabling participants to take part at a time that suits them, as well as live weekly webinars, and participants are allocated a business mentor and can receive a free logo design.
Josh Hall, age 21 from Nuneaton, is unemployed and on Universal Credit and has attended a number of PET-Xi courses in the past which have helped him to develop his employability skills.
He has a keen interest in building and refurbishing computers and had always wanted to set-up his own business in this field, so thought PET-Xi’s Business Futures programme would provide the perfect opportunity to build his knowledge and develop his skills to launch this.
Josh was given access to the pre-recorded online sessions which focus on topics including business structure, registration, developing a business plan, social media, marketing, and competitor analysis.
His business mentor also helped him to develop a business plan for his company Nexuro Limited, which sells refurbished computers, laptops, and electronics. Keen to keep products affordable for customers, he was given advice on achieving this while remaining profitable.
Josh then pitched his business idea to a panel of judges and was successfully awarded a grant of £1,000 to help launch his business.
Gary Drake, of PET-Xi, said: “Josh was extremely enthusiastic about his business idea which will help people in the community who can’t afford brand new computers, laptops, and other electronics by giving them the opportunity to purchase ones that have been refurbished.
“We loved Josh’s business idea. It not only has a focus on sustainability and the environment, ensuring that old electronics are re-used rather than being sent to landfill, and will support a lot of people in the community who might be struggling.
“Our aim with the programme is to support people within the Warwickshire community and give small businesses the opportunity to develop and prosper.
“We were extremely pleased to award Josh a grant of £1,000 to develop his business and look forward to hearing more about his success in the future.”
Business Futures is a government-funded programme through the UK Community Renewal Fund, which is allocated locally through Warwickshire County Council. The six-week online programme is delivered by PET-Xi and is open to Warwickshire residents aged between 16 and 65 who are unemployed.
For more information on the Business Futures Programme and details on how to apply, call Gary Drake on 07852 030 334 or email gdrake@pet-xi.co.uk