News: B&ESY celebrate 300th member of Entrepreneur Exchange scheme

Rotherham-based Business & Education South Yorkshire (B&ESY) organised a special event to mark Sheffield's Entrepreneur Exchange 300th member at Sheffield Institute of Arts in the Furnival Building at Sheffield Hallam University recently.

The Entrepreneur Exchange, which operates as part of Sheffield City Council's Enterprise Programme, works by linking existing entrepreneurs with those who are just starting out on the route to entrepreneurship, in a bid to successfully establish and grow their businesses.

Another aspect of the Exchange's work is to inspire young people in Sheffield schools to consider setting up their own ventures in the future.

Liz Yoxall, Relationship Manager from the Entrepreneur Exchange, which is run by Business & Education South Yorkshire, said: "We held this event to thank the entrepreneurs who have supported us over the past three years and to celebrate reaching our 300th member milestone!

"It is thanks to the commitment of our entrepreneurs that we can continue to support young people and those who are at that crucial stage in setting up a business when practical or professional support is absolutely vital for future success."

At the event, Jo Panasiuk from Sorted Sheffield, explained how the support he had had from the Entrepreneur Exchange, through the National Enterprise Academy has been a huge help in setting up his new business venture. Jo, who is 17, has been linked with Vinny Rihal from Kaimera Creative in Rotherham and the two are now working together to launch a new media channel to reach Sheffield students later in the Spring.

Jo Panasiuk from Sorted Sheffield, said: "I have had lots of help and support from the Entrepreneur Exchange, which has given me the confidence to take my business idea forward. After being introduced to Vinny, I recognised that his design and website experience and my knowledge of how to reach the student market, meant we were able to come up with an exciting business model, with a launch planned for May this year."

B&ESY website

Images: B&ESY