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Budding entrepreneurs on the path to starting their own businesses will be able to learn from some of the region’s successful entrepreneurs when a popular programme returns in June.

FEO’s Ignition is ready to launch, encouraging start-ups to confidently get their business off the ground with help and guidance.

The free-to-attend sessions are hosted and presented by experienced peers, who give their time and experience to the cause, highlighting pitfalls and problems alongside spark and opportunity.

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Member Jonathan Elvidge, previous owner of The Gadget Shop and Red5, who went on to commercialise healthtech business Moodbeam, is now running his own successful youtube channel ‘JonGadget’ helped to design the programme.
He said: “This is the programme I needed when I set up The Gadget Shop 30 years ago! Nothing existed then, and I made a lot of costly mistakes that could have been avoided if I had been able to access the experiences of real-world business owners and entrepreneurs prepared to educate and inspire based on their own stories and know-how.

“This is what Ignition offers. If you are starting out in business, and have a vision and a passion to follow your own path, then this is for you.”

FEO Ignition includes real life business stories of resilience and solutions, and aims to provide those taking part with invaluable tried and tested tips and tools.

April Madden, programme manager, said: “What makes this programme so unique is that it is delivered by a group of local entrepreneurs who are volunteering their time to help others.