The EPIC Future Entrepreneurs Programme, a collaborative initiative between South Devon College and the EPIC Centre, has successfully concluded its inaugural cohort, marking a significant milestone in nurturing young entrepreneurial talent in the region.

Launched on June 18, the intensive programme offered students and recent graduates a series of six comprehensive workshops over three weeks. These sessions covered essential topics such as business ideation, intellectual property, financial planning, marketing strategies, and pitching techniques. Participants also benefited from one-on-one mentoring sessions with local business experts, providing personalised guidance to refine their business concepts.

The programme culminated today with a dynamic pitch event, where participants presented their business ideas to a panel of judges. The top three pitches were awarded £1,500, £1,000, and £500 respectively, providing crucial seed funding to kickstart their ventures. Beyond the financial incentives, all participants will continue to receive support through additional workshops and mentorship to ensure the sustainability and growth of their businesses.

Jess Tucker, Head of Personal Development and Careers Leader at South Devon College, expressed enthusiasm about the programme's impact:

“We are really excited about giving our students this opportunity to get expert guidance and mentoring to provide them with the knowledge and confidence to get their own business idea off the ground. Our students are really innovative and have excellent ideas and, with the support of the EPIC Future Entrepreneurs programme, we know many of them will be able to bring these ideas to fruition. In turn this will future-proof our local economy already heavily dependant on SMEs and help keep local talent and skills in the region.” 

 

Rich Scutt, Centre Director at EPIC, highlighted the programme's role in bridging the gap between ideas and execution:

“We are delighted to be partnering with South Devon College in this entrepreneurship programme. So many budding entrepreneurs never get the opportunity to turn their brilliant ideas into reality due to lack of support. This programme will arm you with the tools and knowledge you need to kickstart your own business. We will then continue to support your business in the future as it grows.” 

The success of the EPIC Future Entrepreneurs Programme underscores the importance of providing structured support to aspiring entrepreneurs, particularly in regions like Torbay, where fostering local talent can have a profound impact on the community's economic development.

For more information about the programme and future opportunities, visit EPIC Future Entrepreneurs.