BU Research Blog

Virgin StartUp is a not-for-profit organisation, started by Sir Richard Branson, that helps entrepreneurs in England with the funding, resources and advice they’ll need to make their business idea a reality. Their main focus is to help entrepreneurs get the support they need to turn their great idea in to a successful and sustainable business. Anyone 18 or over and a British citizen or legal UK resident who wants to start or expand a new business that’s less than a year old in England may be eligible for a start-up loan.

In each area that they are based Virgin Start Up look for suitable people to become mentors and Debbie was approached to become the first female mentor for Bournemouth and surrounding areas. The mentor’s role is to act a a sounding block to help develop the entrepreneur’s confidence, knowledge and skills. Mentors are not there to tell what to do or even how to do it, but to help them make the right decisions themselves.

As part of her role Debbie also attends the Screw It, Just do it Virgin Start Up talks in Bournemouth https://www.startupu.co.uk/new-events/2018/11/29/the-real-ted-talk-2 the next one of which will be Ray Kelvin the founder of Ted Baker. Other recent talks have been from Candy Kittens (co owned by Jamie Laing), Conker Gin, Jimmy’s Iced Coffee. If anyone is interested in knowing more please email dsadd@bournemouth.ac.uk