A competition to unearth graduates with the talent to succeed in fast-growing entrepreneurial companies will kick-off later this month.
Winners of the Rise To Challenge, a contest pitting teams of students and graduates against each other to create a six-week campaign championing an ‘unsung hero’ such as a community leader or group in their local area, will gain a series of prizes such as one-off internships, personal mentoring, coaching, and even full-time jobs.
The event, previously known as The Enterprise Challenge and endorsed by London Mayor Boris Johnson, Sarah Brown and TV presenter Davina McCall, is a response to entrepreneur Duncan Cheatle’s frustration that growing businesses were not accessing the cream of the country’s university talent.
“There is nothing more exciting or eye-opening than the chance to start out your career working alongside founders and CEOs,” said Cheatle, founder of The Supper Club. “UK SMEs are not reaching their fair share of top university talent. Rise To is a platform for graduates and SMEs to bring the very best to one another.”
Cheatle told Growing Business that getting involved with the Rise To Challenge could be an opportunity for companies to build their employer brand alongside some of the key corporate partners, such as Red Bull, Virgin Media Pioneers, MTV and IBM. Already entrepreneurial businesses such as Simply Business, Clock, Ten, Iconnyx and World First have signed up to offer prizes.
The closing date for teams to enter is January 21st but businesses wishing to get involved can visit the website here: www.riseto.co.uk