UK Trade & Investment has launched a new initiative aimed at bringing the world’s best entrepreneurial talent to the UK.
The Sirius Programme, launched today (19 December) has announced the first selected start-ups to gain a place on the scheme, which enables graduates with innovative start-up ideas to make the UK their home.
The seven companies, made up of 19 young entrepreneurs from 13 countries including India, China, Italy, Germany, Canada, Kenya, New Zealand, and Nigeria will now be able to establish their promising businesses in the UK, helping boost Britain’s enterprise community, creating jobs, and inviting foreign investment.
More than 160 aspiring entrepreneurs from over 30 countries around the globe entered the first round of the Sirius Programme.
Lord Livingston, Minister of State for Trade and Investment, said: “The UK is one of the best places in the world to become a successful entrepreneur and we are committed to helping talented entrepreneurs from around the globe to build their businesses here.
“Looking at the high calibre of entries we have received for this programme, it is clear that Britain is fast becoming the country of choice for talented graduates to start and grow their businesses, which will ultimately help our economy to grow, boost productivity and create jobs, and succeed in the global race.”
Their business ideas and inventions include a one-of-a-kind way of creating green energy by converting waste coffee grounds into biofuel and a low-cost, portable, remote smartphone battery charging solution.
Businesses will receive a 12-month place on a business accelerator programme, financial support of £12,000 per team member and visa endorsement. The enterprises will be 100 per cent owned by the graduate teams, and no equity is taken.
Tim Brown, a former professional footballer who represented New Zealand at the 2010 World Cup and is now the co-founder of ToBe, one of the start-ups that will launch in the UK as part of the Sirius Programme said: “We’re delighted ToBe has been chosen as one of the first start-ups to be part of the Sirius Programme.
“It’s the perfect opportunity to help us fulfill ToBe’s ambitions. Being based in the UK will enable us to start up and develop alongside like-minded entrepreneurs and gain access to world-class strategic advice and support. We can’t wait to meet our Sirius Programme mentors, the accelerator team and to get started.”
The Sirius Programme aims to attract hundreds of talented entrepreneurs into the UK in its first two years, with each of the resulting business creating new jobs, bringing in foreign investment and making a significant cumulative impact on the UK economy.
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