Ambitious social entrepreneurs in Bradford could win thousands of pounds in funding for their ventures as part of a competition aimed at making positive changes to communities.

The Big Venture Challenge, run by UnLtd, the Foundation for Social Entrepreneurs, is offering 25 winners from across the country £25,000 each as well as intensive business support.

The competition, supported by the Big Lottery Fund and the Millennium Awards Trust, will see the best ten schemes receive a further £50,000 in funds.

The winning two ventures will be given an additional £100,000 if they can match the funds with loans or equity from other investors.

UnLtd provided support and funding to Bradford-based social enterprise Con-Sequence, set up by reformed drug dealer Arfan Naseer to help deter young people from a life of crime.

The organisation, which has been awarded Social Enterprise of the Year by the Institute of Financial Accountants, runs seminars, workshops and presentations to encourage young people to positively contribute to their communities.

Applications close on Thursday, June 30. For more information go to bigventurechallenge.com.

  • Read the full story in Friday's T&A