New fund for alternative education
providers launched with the help of Tim Campbell from The
Apprentice.
Tim Campbell, the first winner of The Apprentice, has given his backing to the Learning Launchpad investment fund.
Set up by the Young Foundation and independent education foundation Edge, the fund will offer grants of up to £100,000 for projects that provide alternatives to traditional education for young people in the UK.
Since his appearance on The Apprentice, Mr Campbell has established the Bright Ideas Trust, a charity that aims to support young entrepreneurs and help them run successful businesses.
He said that the Learning Launchpad fund is set to offer a similar boost to young people.
Mr Campbell explained: "This fund will help remove the barriers people face when they come up with a great idea.
"For a start-up entrepreneur, it is just as important to get a cash flow injection as it is to get the tailored support you need, whether that's help with finance, communications or web technology."
He added that the main purpose of the fund will be to "find the best ideas that will enable young people to make a difference".
Any organisation or individual with an idea to provide alternative education for people aged 14 to 25 will be able to apply for financial support from Learning Launchpad.
Mr Campbell landed a £100,000 job in the health and beauty division at Amstrad when he won the first series of the BBC's Apprentice in 2005.
He stayed on after his initial 12-month contract expired but left Sir Alan Sugar's organisation in 2007 to pursue other business ventures, including a male grooming company and the Bright Ideas Trust.
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