UK attracting the best entrepreneurial talent by Lord Green, Minister, UKTI on 05-Sep-2013

A  pioneering scheme to bring the world's best entrepreneurial talent to the UK has been announced today (5 September 2013) by the UK Government. The Sirius Programme, spearheaded by UK Trade & Investment (UKTI), will enable talented graduates with innovative start up ideas to relocate to the UK and receive support to fast track their business from idea to reality.

"The UK is one of the top places in the world to become an entrepreneur and we want to attract talented graduates to set up and build their business here," said Lord Green, Trade and Investment Minister. "UKTI's Sirius Programme will be one of the most comprehensive start-up support packages offered globally and the best in Europe."

The Sirius Programme is a 12-month start-up support and acceleration package open to students and recent graduates with an early-stage business idea or business plan. Successful applicants will receive a full range of support including investment, a place in one of the world's best business accelerator programmes, mentoring and logistical help with relocating to the UK.

The programme aims to attract hundreds of entrepreneurs into the UK in its first two years, with each of the resulting businesses creating new jobs, bringing in foreign investment and making a significant cumulative impact on the UK economy. Advantages of starting up in the UK include access to 500 million customers in Europe (62 million in the UK) and the fact that these consumers tend to be early adopters, keen to test and try new innovations.

Sirius was launched to an audience of over 200 students and graduates from 40 countries around the globe at UKTI's Entrepreneurs' Festival in Manchester between 4-6 September. The Festival offered an intensive induction for budding entrepreneurs into what it's like to start up and grow a business in the UK. Those sharing the secrets of their success with attendees included Lord Karan Bilamoria, founder and Chairman of Cobra Beer, and Lee Strafford, the co-founder of NetStart and UK ISP PlusNet.

"The popularity of the Entrepreneurs' Festival proves that there is a wealth of exciting business ideas out there with massive potential, as well as a great appetite to start up in the UK," continued Lord Green. "Ensuring that Britain becomes the country of choice for talented graduates to start and grow their businesses will help our economy to grow, boost productivity and create jobs."

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