Wales

Self-employment in Wales

The Welsh Assembly Government’s Department for the Economy and Transport is actively working to develop a culture of entrepreneurship and innovation. Whether they are in technology, IT, the creative industries or providing services to business and consumers, people from across Wales are encouraged to start and grow their own businesses.

The Welsh Assembly Government is working to:

• Change attitudes by promoting business and entrepreneurship as positive career choices
• Put entrepreneurship at the heart of the Welsh education system through the Dynamo role model network and curriculum materials
• Support the ambitions of would be entrepreneurs by providing free advice and support, especially for those who face particular barriers, such as young people, women, disabled people and those from black and ethnic minorities.
• Widen the horizons of existing entrepreneurs by encouraging enterprise, innovation and sustainable development, especially for those wishing to grow their business
• Stimulate social enterprise by building their business confidence and ability to bid for public sector contracts
• Promote more peer learning by stimulating and supporting business networks

Graduates and self employment

All students and graduates can access the general start up support funded by the Welsh Assembly Government - to find out how you can be helped, call Business Eye on 08457 96 97 98 or go to Flexible Support for Business in Wales. In addition, there are a number of programmes tailored for graduates – for more information please contact Business Eye.

Graduating to Enterprise (G2E)

G2E assists students and graduates to start-up in business by offering mentoring and consultancy support. It operates in 35 colleges and universities across Wales. In 2006/07 almost 1,400 students were assisted, leading to 320 business starts.

KEF Scholarships

The Knowledge Exploitation Fund promotes enterprise in HE and FE institutions, supports knowledge transfer from university to industry and awards scholarships to graduates who want to start in business. Scholarships are awarded after rigorous assessment of business plans and are worth up to £5,000 over nine months. About 200 Scholarships are available annually. For more information contact the Entrepreneurship Champion in your institution.

Wales Spinout

Many successful companies are based on research, technology and ideas developed in Higher Education. The Spinout programme helps new businesses 'spinout' from HEI's in Wales, providing professional counselling and mentoring, rent-free space within the HEI, specialist consultancy, market research and loans up to £25,000 which are effectively interest free.