Young entrepreneurs find YES opens new doors

Students are encouraged to step up and get involved with Lion Foundation Young Enterprise Scheme

Northland's connection to an entrepreneurship accelerator programme is helping Lion Foundation Young Enterprise Scheme (YES) graduates to step across the bridge from high school projects to successful enterprise.

The free six-week Venture Up programme is powered by the Young Enterprise Trust and Lightning Lab and is for 17 to 25 year-olds.

Based in Wellington it connected with three Northlanders from the YES scheme last year.

Gary Larkan, YES coordinator for Northland said three of last year's 27 participants came from this region, and were now running their own enterprise.

"Through the year we identify potential candidates from the YES programme and encourage all students to join the Young Enterprise Alumni."

Mr Larkan's daughter Jade, 22, is studying in Auckland but running Filter, a company which matches graduates and students to internships in their chosen industries,.

Former Kerikeri student Alysha Terrizzi's company is selling glow-in-the-dark markers to fishing and hunting supply stores, while Far North student Chance August had created a website.

Mr Larkan said the Young Enterprise Programme was also a vital piece of the puzzle in Northland. Funded by the Methodist Employment Generation Fund with Auckland community organisation Lifewise, the programme provided interest-free loans to young business people whose companies could grow to employ others.

Mr Larkin said that with more than 200 students participating this year, the YES programme certainly had companies ready for market.

Joseph Stuart, general manager of business growth at Northland Inc said about 20 young people involved in business start-ups in the region had already enquired after the ecentre's Dorian Scott seminar running later this month (see page 15).

"I think the YES programme is working well for Northland graduates. The students are learning problem solving and a customer focus. It's a practical programme."

Mr Stuart was also a graduate of the YES scheme, having interned at Port Nelson during his 1988 programme.

He said that many entrepreneurs had not completed formal education.

"Entrepreneurs need drive and focus and many don't have formal education. They do need support to help revise and refine their vision and develop business structure."