24-year-old Adam Bradford, from the United Kingdom, has today launched his annual enterprise competition and is encouraging young people in the Caribbean to make their pitches.

The #AdamStart Entrepreneurship Challenge is an annual global initiative run by the young businessman to encourage young people across the city and further afield to step forward with their business ideas.

This year, the competition is specifically searching for social enterprise ideas which make an impact in the community.

20-year-old Walid Ijassi from Rabat, Morocco, won the competition in 2016 and is now encouraging young people from the region to submit their ideas as he described the competition as ‘life changing.’

He said today: “Before applying, make your idea/project well organized and make sure to underline the importance of your business to the world. Also make sure to define your action plan post-winning the competition and potential results following receiving the prize money. And even if only few hours are left for the deadline, APPLY! The competition has helped me gain more credibility and international media coverage and a unique opportunity to be mentored.”

Walid’s business, POMM’it, recycles unused apples and turns them into agri-food and cosmetic products.

Adam will be making a visit to St Lucia in August as part of a special programme to teach young people entrepreneurship skills.

A spokeswoman for the businessman said: “Adam is very much looking forward to visiting the region and hearing the ideas of young people which will develop the region’s economy and social fabric.”

The competition, which originally started as part of Sheffield City Council’s Learnfest initiative, has been backed by Secretary of State for Business and Energy Greg Clark MP.

He said: “Small businesses are the backbone of our economy and Adam Bradford’s new initiative, the Adam Start Entrepreneurship Challenge, is an inspiring competition to support aspiring young entrepreneurs looking to get their start-up ideas off the ground.”

“This government believes that wherever you live and whatever your age, everyone deserves the chance to turn a great business idea into a reality and Adam’s work to encourage young, creative entrepreneurs exemplifies this spirit.”

The competition has given over £50,000 worth of support in-kind and through cash grants to young entrepreneurs in recent years.

Young people aged 18-29 are encouraged to apply with their business ideas by 31st July. To apply for the competition, visit www.adamstart.biz.