Local businesses have been keen to show their support for the next generation of entrepreneurs by backing the Newport and Monmouthshire regional final for Young Enterprise Wales’ flagship competitions taking place on Thursday, April 28 at the Newport City campus of the University of South Wales.

Students from six schools from across the region have over the past 12 months formed their own registered companies to sell and provide their own products and services under the guidance of an assigned Young Enterprise business adviser and their teachers.

The finalists for the company programme competition will be submitting their company reports, designing and exhibiting a trade stand, making a presentation to the judges and other guests at the final as well as participating in a Q&A session before the winners are announced.

There are eight categories in total which are being sponsored by local businesses.

Newport-based Ellis, Lloyd Jones Chartered Accountants are the overall award sponsors for a third year with Centurion VAT, Minuteman Press Newport and the Dragons of Newport Business Networking group also sponsoring individual awards.

The board of Young Enterprise in Newport & Gwent are keen to invite other companies to get involved and help this year’s final be one of the most successful yet.

Kara Williams, director of Ellis Lloyd Jones Chartered Accountants, said: “During the past three years the quality of the entrants has continued to impress, and we were quick to accept the invite to lend our support again. The ideas, innovation, professional approach demonstrated by all the participants was quite inspiring and showcases the talent of the next generation of the regions entrepreneurs.”

Categories available for sponsorship are: Best Company Report, Best Presentation, Best Product, Community & Environment and Best Use of IT.

For more information about sponsorship please contact Dan Smith, board member Young Enterprise Newport & Monmouthshire – dan@m4pc.co.uk.