Are you a student and budding entrepreneur looking for support in setting up your new business?

Entries are now being taken for this year’s Beacon Bursary competition.

The prize on offer is £5,000 along with a year’s free office space in the Beacon Centre for Enterprise in Dafen, Llanelli.

The winner will also be offered mentoring support in a bid to develop their business.

Two runners-up will receive £2,000 and six months free office space and £1,000 and six months free office space respectively.

The Beacon Bursary is open to further and higher education students living or aiming to set their business up in Carmarthenshire.

The annual competition is delivered through Carmarthenshire County Council in partnership with Coleg Sir Gâr and University of Wales Trinity Saint David and forms part of the council’s commitment to developing entrepreneurship within the county.

Last year’s winner was Biscuit’s Barkery, set up by Amanda Thomas a passionate dog owner whose business proposal is to provide nutrient-rich dog treats. At the time of the competition last year, the business was very much in its start-up phase, so winning the Bursary meant that Amanda could get her business up and running.

Leader of Carmarthenshire County Council, Cllr Emlyn Dole, said: “I look forward to the launch of this competition every year as we discover some great new entrepreneurs in the county. Previous winners have said that the competition is invaluable, not only the chance to have a high-spec base such as The Beacon to grow their business, but also to provide support from a team of business mentors from the private and public sector.”

Becky Pask, Coleg Sir Gâr employability entrepreneurship coordinator said: “This bursary is a fantastic opportunity for entrepreneurial minds wanting to kick-start their business idea or develop and existing start-up.

“The support available through the bursary as well the financial backing it offers has benefited previous recipients and helped them put their passion into profit.”

Roger Maidment, Dean of the Faculty of Business and Management at the University of Wales Trinity Saint David (UWTSD) said: “UWTSD is delighted to collaborate on this initiative aimed at encouraging future entrepreneurs within Carmarthenshire. As a dual sector University, our mission is ‘Transforming Education, Transforming Lives’, developing employment focused educational programmes and contributing to our vision of transforming, shaping and developing futures by stimulating economic development in the region and across Wales and beyond. Working in collaboration on initiatives such as the Beacon Bursary Award is central to achieving this as it offers our students the opportunity to demonstrate their creative and entrepreneurial skills and develop real business ideas which have the potential to contribute to the economy of the region.”

• If you would like further information or wish to apply for the Beacon Bursary please contact Rhian Richards, rrichards@carmarthenshire.gov.uk

The closing date for all submissions is May 31, 2019.

For more information please visit http://www.beacon-enterprise.co.uk/centre-for-enterprise/beacon-bursary/