Newport-based recruitment and training company Acorn has teamed up with The Alacrity Foundation, to help find the next generation of technology entrepreneurs.

The two organisations are working together to identify aspiring entrepreneurs from across the UK, to join a 12 month, practical business training and mentorship scheme in Newport, with a view to launching their own high-tech start-up.

The scheme, backed by the Welsh Government, will select the most talented technical graduates and pair them with other graduates, global strategic partners and industry leading mentors, with a view to building innovative tech start-ups in Wales and the UK.

Graduates are being invited to apply for a number of openings to form teams to start this autumn. As part of the scheme, they will be given the opportunity to secure up to a quarter of a million pounds of funding to invest in their own business.

Aimed primarily at recent graduates who have studied, or are studying, computer science or software engineering, the scheme is also open to those from other subjects who have a part-time or voluntary interest in technology, and may have learned to code or build computer programmes.

Former graduate, Arun Wilson, 24, from Reading, is currently taking part in the scheme in the Learnium team.

He said: “Being part of the Alacrity programme has really opened my eyes to the opportunities that are out there.

“I always thought that if I wanted to get ahead in technical or creative industries I would have to move to Silicon Valley so, the chance to create a start-up business in Newport is practically a dream come true.”

The Alacrity Foundation aims to help graduates build and create innovative, sustainable products and services as a direct response to industry need.

Raman Mistry, Alacrity Foundation chief operating officer, said: “Our mission is to develop a new generation of UK-based hi-tech companies by harnessing our brightest and best graduate talent.

“By linking with global strategic partners in the tech industry, the programme enables entrepreneurs to identify immediate gaps in the market and respond to new trends and emerging markets with real insight.”

It’s the only programme in Wales and the South West to pair technology-minded graduates directly with employers through a number of global strategic partnerships, which include BT and Vodafone.

It supports graduates to succeed with guidance and mentoring from leading industry experts including Sir Terry Matthews OBE, and CEO of the Wesley Clover Corporation, Professor Simon Gibson OBE.

Raman said: “We feel strongly that South Wales is a lucrative area for graduates looking to follow their ambition and develop a real-life business beyond the classroom, without breaking the budget to do so..

“Acorn has been instrumental in supporting Alacrity to recruit suitable candidates, so far securing up to 30 applications for the September 2014 intake.”

Dave Sadler, Manager of Acorn’s IT Division, said: “We’re very excited to support the Alacrity Foundation’s commitment to investing in future business growth in Newport, and throughout the UK. It means that products will be developed to meet the market, resulting in more sustainable businesses. This will inevitably help to grow future employment opportunities for more people in the IT and technology sectors.”

Alacrity is a collaboration between the Welsh Government, The Waterloo Foundation and Wesley Clover Corporation. Anyone wishing to apply to be part of the programme, or find out more about the scheme, can visit alacrityfoundation.co.uk/ .