Celebrating youth enterprise across the world

Hull City Council and the youth enterprise eco-system marks 21 years of involvement with a series of events between November 18 and 22 under the umbrella theme of "Entrepreneurship Is For Everyone”.

The programme features seven major activities as well as the Annual Youth Enterprise Awards Celebration, using the Guildhall, schools and colleges which are part of Hull's youth enterprise eco-system. It will also benefit charities Action for Ashley and Joy for Joel, supporting two young people with Duchenne.

Ross Bennett Chair Hull & East Yorkshire Youth Enterprise Partnership said: “The Hull youth enterprise eco-system is proud to be celebrating 21 years of its work in promoting enterprise skills and youth entrepreneurship, formerly Enterprise Week, and now Global Entrepreneurship Week. 

“The week is all about how small ideas can take root and become viable business plans, with the potential to grow into sustainable companies. 

We intend to set an aspirational agenda for today’s young people in the city to set up their own businesses, start social enterprises and cooperatives, improve their communities and become enterprising students or employees so they can positively contribute to Hull and East Yorkshire's economy."

Marc Ortmans, Chair of GEN UK and GEW UK added: “Over the last 21 years, Hull has played a significant part every year in celebrating what it does to support enterprise skills and youth entrepreneurship. As a city it has always demonstrated its commitment to engaging with enterprising young people and sharing good practice with them across the UK and the rest of the world.

The week is all about how small ideas can take root and become viable business plans, with the potential to grow into sustainable companies. The Hull youth enterprise eco-system have set an aspirational agenda for today’s young people in the city to set up their own businesses, start social enterprises and cooperatives, improve their communities and become enterprising students or employees."

Global Entrepreneurship Week in Hull:

Monday November 18 – Make £5 Blossom Launch:

The Guildhall will welcome 13 businesses which will loan 13 schools £150 each. They will use the Big 13 Enterprise Skills to make their investment grow. The pupils will return for a celebration event in April 2025 and outline their enterprising journey, the challenges, and the skills they used. They will also reveal their profit, part of which will be donated to Joy for Joel.  

Tuesday November 19 – GEW Memories Day:

Individuals and schools compete for prizes for the best social media post to celebrate Enterprise Skills and Youth Entrepreneurship using the hashtags #GEWHull #GEW2024 and #GEWMemories in the lead up to GEW. The winners will be announced at our celebration event on Friday November 22.

Tuesday November 19 – Commonwealth Link-up:

Young entrepreneurs meet via Zoom to discuss issues of mutual interest. Taking part will be the People’s Fund in Johannesburg, Enterprise Partnerships based in Australia, people in Hull who had been on Universal Credit whilst they set up in business, and young entrepreneurs from Namibia and Zimbabwe.

Wednesday November 20 – Be Inspired Day:

Judging of Adam Corbally Challenge, Participants aged 16 to 29 will have submitted a video pitch of up to two minutes about their business idea. The competition is open to residents of Hull, Scarborough, Ryedale, Norton, Malton & Pickering, and East Riding with a prize of up to £1,000 and Adam Corbally as a mentor for a year. Videos must be emailed to Adam at adam@adamcorbally.co.uk or sent via WhatsApp to 07769 644606 by midday on Friday November 15.

Wednesday November 20th - THUD Yorkshire 

At Humber Street Gallery, this event features three aspiring young entrepreneurs pitching to receive your support and the winners ( voted on by the audience)  will win up to £500 from the John Cracknell Youth Enterprise Bank ( And maybe a few surprises) . Also, Hull born Tony Robinson OBE national Microbusiness Champion, author, and campaigner for an end to unfair and late payments will be speaking about what it means to be Happipreneur supported by Ian Farrar and Jenn Crowther from the Microbusiness Alliance.

Booking is via Eventbrite link https://www.eventbrite.com/e/thud-3-tickets-891498976437

Thursday November 21 – The Sewell Group Craven Park Challenge:

Yorkshire in Business is challenging young people to show how they would run an event at Sewell Group Craven Park. The competition is open to schools in Scarborough, Ryedale, Hull, and East Riding in the weeks leading up to Global Entrepreneurship Week. This activity will be run in schools and the winners will receive £200 for enterprise activities in their school.

Thursday November 21– Enterprise Masterclass with pupils from St Mary's College:

Adam Corbally will lead this enterprise masterclass, with support from Engaging Education. Pupils will learn about the Big 13 Enterprise Skills and hear from aspiring young entrepreneurs who came off Universal Credit to set up a business. The top six teams will receive cash prizes sponsored by some of Hull's young entrepreneurs and Design Over Technology Ltd.

Friday November 22 – Primary Enterprise Day:  

Primary schools in Hull will develop a marketing campaign to promote an event at Sewell Group Craven Park. Adam Corbally and the team from Engaging Education will help them pitch their ideas to Hull's Youth Enterprise Champions, Becca McCoid and Alex Costin. The top six teams will receive cash prizes sponsored by some of Hull's young entrepreneurs and Design Over Technology Ltd.

Friday November 22 – Awards Evening:

An event announcing the winners of the Hull and East Riding Youth Enterprise Awards 2024. The awards are sponsored by the John Cracknell Youth Enterprise Bank, Jordan Smith Mortgage and Protection Advisor, Engaging Education and Hull City Council. The ceremony will be held at The Guildhall and hosted by Adam Corbally. It’s an opportunity to recognise some great achievers, win some interesting prizes, and support Action for Ashley.