Innovators' Games score big for enterprise
14/11/2006
"The attributes of successful sportspeople and entrepreneurs are very similar - they demonstrate determination, a competitive spirit and whilst they're driven by winning are not afraid to fail."
The Innovators' Games will use sport to show young people what it takes to become the businesspeople of the future. The event is part of nationwide Enterprise Week activities.
Bright young entrepreneurs Tim Campbell, winner of The Apprentice 2005, and Will Howard, founder of Hit the Theatre, will be offering their support and encouragement at the event. Steve Backley, the Olympic Games javelin medallist, will bring sporting inspiration to the day's activities.
Executive director of Innovation Programmes at NESTA, Helen Gresty said, "The attributes of successful sportspeople and entrepreneurs are very similar - they demonstrate determination, a competitive spirit and whilst they're driven by winning are not afraid to fail. We hope our Games will help young people to think about business in a new and exciting light that will encourage them to go on and do great things."
During the course of the day the group of 13-15 year-olds from schools in London and Birmingham will attend a talk given by Will Howard and Steve Backley on the attitude it takes to win in both sport and business. They will then be expected to put those attitudes to the test in coming up with their own ideas for a sports stadium, kit and even a dream team.
Tim Campbell will present winning ideas and teams with medals. Commenting on the event, he said, "Today's school-goers are tomorrow's entrepreneurs and it is crucial that we find new and creative ways to encourage the skills necessary to succeed in business. Enterprise Week and events like the Innovators' Games are shining examples of the steps that need to be taken to prepare our youth for the challenges ahead."
For further information, please contact Nicola Kane on 0207 645 9638 or email nicola.kane@nesta.org.uk
NESTA, the National Endowment for Science, Technology and the Arts, is working to transform the UK's capacity for innovation. Our endowed funds of over £300m allow us to be a genuine risk-funder, to take a longer-term view and invest in the most promising new ideas and ventures. Underpinning our work is the fundamental view that successful innovation fuels long-term economic and social progress, and is an essential ingredient to the UK maintaining its competitive edge in the global market place.
Innovators' Games
The Innovators' Games is an event organised by NESTA as part of Enterprise Week. The week is a celebration of enterprise in all its forms, with thousands of activities happening across the UK inspiring young people to be enterprising and make their ideas happen. It is taking place from 13 - 19 November 2006.
Date: 14 November 2006 Time: 10:00am to 14:30pm Venue: Rich Mix Cultural Foundation, 35-47 Bethnal Green Road, London, E1 6LA
Steve Backley and Will Howard will give a talk at 10:15am on "What it takes to win" followed by various workshops, lunch and then a medal ceremony led by Tim Campbell at 2pm.
Future Innovators
In 2007 NESTA will launch a new programme, Future Innovators, which focuses on nurturing the skills and attitudes that underpin innovation in young people. We want to work with partners who will share our vision and help us develop a more innovative UK. Together, we will create new ways to support and prepare the UK's next generation of entrepreneurs.
Tim Campbell
Winner of the hit BBC series The Apprentice 2005, Tim Campbell is now Project Director of the new Health & Beauty division within Sir Alan Sugar's company, Amstrad. He worked for London Underground as a Marketing Project Manager before applying for the reality business programme last year. Apart from working for Sir Alan, Tim has been in much demand as a mentor, giving motivational talks to school children. He says he didn't just become The Apprentice, but "won a whole new life".
Steve Backley
Steve turned to the javelin after initially starting out in athletics as a cross-country and middle distance runner. Twenty five years later he's the four times European javelin champion and has won the Commonwealth Games three times. Steve is the first British athlete to have medalled at three consecutive Olympic Games. He has made the world top 10 every year since 1989 and on three occasions has been world number one. Having recently retired from athletics, Steve now works as a coach, speaker and training projects.
Will Howard
It was while at University that Will realised there was a gap in the market to provide theatre trips for students. Growing from 30 friends going to see the Lion King, the Theatre Society grew into taking 1000 students a term, including trips to New York and a mammoth trip of 450 to see We Will Rock You. Launched in April 2006 Hit The Theatre has quickly built up a database of 3,500 members. Estimated turnover is expected to be £Â¼million in the first year.