The Peter Jones Foundation and FRP join forces to expand the National Entrepreneur of the Year Competition

The Peter Jones Foundation has announced a new partnership with leading business advisory firm, FRP, to significantly expand its flagship National Entrepreneur of the Year competition.

Now open to all young entrepreneurs aged 16 and 21, the competition will see FRP host regional finals across the UK – spotlighting the most promising young business founders from every corner of the country. The partnership aims to unlock opportunities for aspiring entrepreneurs from underserved communities and under-represented backgrounds, providing a powerful platform for the next generation of business leaders.

The five regional winners will pitch their business to a high-profile judging panel that includes Peter Jones CBE and Geoff Rowley, CEO of FRP. The overall winner will be crowned at the Foundation’s prestigious annual awards ceremony in November and receive a £10,000 grant to help grow their business. Additional cash prizes include £1,000 for each regional winner and £5,000 for the runner-up – every finalist will also benefit from a year of expert mentorship.

We’re proud to champion grassroots entrepreneurship alongside the Peter Jones Foundation. This initiative will empower young people from all walks of life to take their business ventures to the next level – creating opportunities, driving innovation, and supporting the job creators of tomorrow. We’re looking forward to meeting the emerging talent through the regional finals.

Geoff Rowley Chief Executive Officer Management Board

To apply, candidates must submit a business plan and elevator pitch video. The competition has successfully launched the careers of several standout entrepreneurs, including Ross Bailey, founder of AppearHere, which has gone on to raise over $20million in venture capital funding; David Humpston, founder of ViewPoint Videos and one of the youngest people ever to receive a Virgin StartUp loan; and Miah Maddock-Hodgins, last year’s winner and founder of MCR Education Hub, a groundbreaking inclusive education platform that is dedicated to supporting young people who face barriers to mainstream schooling, such as SEND learners and those in elective home education.

Peter Jones CBE said: “We’re truly grateful for FRP’s support. This collaboration will enable us to increase the reach of the National Entrepreneur of the Year competition and generate greater impact. I can’t wait to meet the finalists and see how their businesses develop with the ongoing support of the Foundation.”

Geoff Rowley, CEO of FRP, added: “We’re proud to champion grassroots entrepreneurship alongside the Peter Jones Foundation. This initiative will empower young people from all walks of life to take their business ventures to the next level – creating opportunities, driving innovation, and supporting the job creators of tomorrow. We’re looking forward to meeting the emerging talent through the regional finals.”  

If you are a young entrepreneur between the age of 16 and 21 who is interested in applying for the competition please visit the Foundation’s website and submit your entry by Friday 30^th May 2025.

About the Peter Jones Foundation

The Peter Jones Foundation exists to improve the socio-economic outcomes for young people by equipping them with enterprise skills to better prepare them for successful employment or self-employment. We do this through encouraging, educating and empowering the young people we serve.

The Peter Jones Foundation was founded in 2005 by successful entrepreneur and star of Dragons’ Den, Peter Jones CBE. We believe that with the right mix of support and opportunity, every young person has the potential to achieve great things.

To achieve this, we deliver world-class enterprise education initiatives within the UK and across the world. It is our aim that 60% of the young people we support are from under-served and under-represented communities.

• We encourage students to form their first business and compete with other student teams through our flagship program, the Tycoon Enterprise Competition. In the UK, this programme allows schools to access a full suite of resources and up to £3,000 funding, with the opportunity to attend our national awards ceremony. 
  
  
• We educate students through our suite of accredited courses and qualifications in Enterprise and Entrepreneurship developed with Pearson, at Level 2 and Level 3, through both the Peter Jones Enterprise Academy (PJEA) and as standalone qualifications. We also offer A Level in Business Studies and Economics to school and college providers.
  
  
• We empower our graduates by supporting them into various pathways such as to start a business, secure a job or an apprenticeship, or a place on a Higher Education or Further Education programme of study. Through our Alumni platform, we will offer graduates access to mentoring and tailored graduate resources.