Havas Media Network has launched its support scheme ‘Havas Boost’ aiming to support entrepreneurs in the North West– especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds looking to create positive change.
In Dragons' Den style, ten applicants will have the opportunity to pitch their business for the £150k fund at an event during Manchester’s Global Entrepreneurship Week celebrations in November.
Havas’ research showed that “40% of less advantaged under-35s in the North West feel there are not good opportunities for people from less advantaged backgrounds to set up a business in Great Britain versus just 19% of people in London.” The group said this is despite three fifths of those polled expressing interest in starting an independent business of their own one day, which is double the rate in the overall British population (26%).
The scheme requires applicants to come from a less advantaged background and to own a young business that demonstrates a purpose beyond profit. Chief growth officer, Nick Wright, said that though Havas’ campaign last year focused on Black and Asian-owned businesses, this year they opted for a “more broad” guideline for entrants from any underprivileged communities from across the North West.
Mr Wright said: “There’s a real disparity between those in the north from less advantaged backgrounds feeling that there’s just no hope versus those that are in maybe more southern regions actually feeling that even though they’re from less advantaged backgrounds, there is still hope.”
General manager of Havas Manchester, James Reddington, added: “We do not want to restrict companies in any way... We want to be open to as many businesses as possible.”
Mr Reddington said Havas team members have been promoting their campaign in the North West, adding that: “The Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce are working very closely to help us find those businesses” and supporting the Boost scheme to achieve maximum reach.
He added: “We want a business that really wants to make a meaningful difference to that community."
The Havas duo say they “don’t want to be too restrictive” about the kinds of businesses eligible for the scheme – but say the businesses chosen will be those “ready to make that next step” to growth.
They said they were keen to hear from as many businesses as possible – and that any businesses that believe they are in the ‘grey area’ and are uncertain as to whether they are eligible are encouraged to apply.
Following the pitch in Manchester, a panel of local entrepreneurial talent will choose four prospective candidates to continue in the contest. Eventually, the Havas Boost board will select a winner.
Recent YouGov research carried out by Havas Media Network pointed to the huge entrepreneurial potential in the region, as well as highlighting barriers to entry and growth. Havas Boost will be based in Manchester and strives to address this gap..
Mr Wright said: “The pandemic accelerated the amount of ‘cottage industries’ that were starting up, and SOHO (small office/ home office) businesses popping up… They needed support. We felt that was an area we could make a meaningful difference.” He added: “It came from, really, our DNA.”
Mr Wright noted “The rise of these start-ups, and the rise in the gap of businesses that maybe didn’t come from less advantaged areas/communities and those that did.” He said that over the last few years that gap had grown, and that he felt Havas was capable of doing something to close it.
Wright commended footballer Marcus Rashford for his campaign for free school meals, saying: “The work he did really put the North West on the map.”
Mr Reddington added that the North West can often miss out economically compared to London and the South East. He added: “We’ve all grown up in this area. Sometimes, when things are good, it tends to filter to the North West a bit later. When things are bad, it tends to be the North West that gets hit at the first opportunity.”
While this may be a Dragon’s Den-style event, Mr Wright and Mr Redddington say Havas won't be following the lead of the TV dragons and taking shares in the businesses. They say this is a “purely community” venture and one that will also benefit the teams working for Havas.
Mr Wright said: “It’s not about marketing ourselves, it’s about actually doing what our teams and our people believe we should be doing. If that helps us retain people and attract new talent because we’re a nice business and do nice things, then obviously that has a business benefit.”
Mr Reddington said Havas also did more community and charity work around Manchester. And he added: “We need to demonstrate what we believe in.”
Havas plans to support the runners-up as well as the winners to see what else they can do to help support them. And the company says it is “looking to put procedures and opportunities in place to give that mentoring to give them access to support and make this much wider.”
Mr Reddington added: “The advertising industry, as a key growth driver for the Ƶ economy, is in a unique position to play its part in giving the rest of the country a bit of a boost.”
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