A competition has opened to find a disabled entrepreneur who could benefit from expert support getting their business off the grown.
Leicestershire internet entrepreneur Mark Esho MBE has launched the Circle Foundation to provide up to £50,000 worth of business support and mentoring to a disabled person with a strong business idea. It plans to help one businessperson each year.
Mr Esho, who has been disabled since contracting polio as a boy, said he had faced his own struggles starting a business and wanted to give something back.
He said the aim of the charity was to empower disabled entrepreneurs with a “circle” of support, building their skills and confidence to make their business dream a reality.
The charity also promotes disability equality by encouraging the beneficiaries to “pay it forward” – offering support to others at the beginning of their entrepreneurial journey.
The search is now on to find the first entrants to the competition.
The charity has received support from Pattersons Commercial Law and Alacrity Accounting, both based in Leicestershire, and now the Leicester and Leicestershire Business Gateway has stepped in to help.
A member of the Gateway board will join the judges and it has offered up to five hours of one-to-one support from its business adviser team and up to six hours of paid consultancy from an expert in the winning person’s chosen sector.
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Mr Esho said: “Finding support for a start-up venture as a disabled person can be a real challenge.
“As a disabled entrepreneur myself, and working with many others over the years, I understand the innumerable barriers that disabled people often face when starting up in business.
“And it’s not all about money.
“We’re really delighted to have the Business Gateway working alongside us on this project. We are hoping that this additional support will ensure that the winning business idea really takes off and secures a sustainable future.”
Business Gateway manager Rachel York said: “It’s important that all businesspeople know that we are here to support them, irrespective of their abilities, gender, ethnicity or sexuality.
“Getting involved with the Circle Foundation competition is one way of clearly demonstrating this and we are very happy to be involved.”
For details visit www.thecirclefoundation.org.uk.
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