The Change Makers are an exclusive group of the country’s 26 most exciting entrepreneurs under the age of 30. Each has been nominated for the accolade by a British business giant, including Dragon Peter Jones CBE, Betfair co-founder Ed Wray, and MOBO founder Kanya King.
All were asked to nominate a “rising star” of enterprise, and the full list is being released today to allow the public to pick a winner.
The Change Makers include business founders, inventors and CEOs, in fields as diverse as small business funding, kitchenware and broadband internet.
Among them is Ian Hogarth, who founded online live music database Songkick after graduating from university, and has built it into the world’s second-most trafficked concert site. He faces competition from Samir Desai, co-founder of online business lending service Funding Circle, and Emily Cummins, inventor of the sustainable refrigerator.
Full details of the 26 Change Makers are now available on the MADE website and members of the public can vote for their favourite young entrepreneur until 5pm on Monday 17th September.
The winner will be announced on stage at MADE in Sheffield on Thursday 20th September. He or she will receive an exclusive one-to-one mentoring session with Cobra Beer founder Lord Bilimoria which, in an exciting twist, will take place in a helicopter provided by MADE charity partner, the Children’s Air Ambulance.
Michael Hayman, chairman of MADE: The Entrepreneur Festival and co-founder of Seven Hills, commented: “The Change Makers campaign shines a light on some of the nation’s most exciting entrepreneurial talents; they have been personally selected by a group of Britain’s leading entrepreneurs, and showcase the outstanding business potential among our young people.”
Andrew Haigh, executive director of client propositions at Coutts, commented: “We have seen a number of young entrepreneurs shine over recent years while serving as an inspiration to young people as they consider the opportunities that await them, so we really understand the importance of role models. The Change Makers is an opportunity for the rising stars of the entrepreneurial world to be recognised, to be encouraged in their ambition for business growth and to demonstrate that setting up a business is a valid career option.”
