Budding entrepreneurs across Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole are being given a boost through Ignite.
The free five-week course teaches students the essentials of starting up and managing their own business.
A gaming development trio called Limbo Lime, a website selling bespoke friendship bracelets, a tennis consultancy and a speech therapy practice are just a few of the in-development and new businesses being helped.
Ignite is financed by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) and facilitated by BCP Council.
It’s the first of its kind in the region.
So far, the Ignite course has been attended by 40 students from Bournemouth University (BU), Arts University Bournemouth (AUB) and AECC University College. (AECC)
To date £9,000 of the UKSPF funding has been spent.
The course aims to promote entrepreneurship, local talent and economic growth by supporting start-ups across the BCP area.
Adrian Trevett, Head of Economic Development, BCP Council, said: “We recognise that many students across our region have an ambition to set up a business instead of working for others, and this new programme is a fantastic gateway to making that happen.
“The initial pilot for Ignite, collaborating with BU and AUB, was a great success.
“A number of students are developing their own companies, agencies and consultancies using a grant of £250 to support their initial set-up costs.
“We have now completed the second cohort, which also welcomed students from AECC University College, and we are in conversation with Bournemouth and Poole College to roll out the course to more students within the local area.”
Topics covered in the course include business planning, marketing, sales and branding, legal and regulatory matters, finance and insurance.
Benedict Newman, a final year Sport Management student at BU, said: “The Ignite course gave me a real helping hand, guiding me through the early stages of setting up my tennis consultancy business, learning about finance, how best to structure it, marketing and many other things.
“The biggest thing that Ignite gave me was a massive sense of confidence, connecting me with important contacts at BCP Council and Evolve and giving me the opportunity to discuss amazing ideas with other young businesspeople.
“Through Ignite I was able to claim a £250 grant which I’ve put towards professional indemnity insurance, which is something that I only learned about by doing this fantastic course.
David Mutton, Ignite Course Leader and Business Advisor at Evolve, said: “It’s been brilliant supporting BCP Council and the fantastic students at BU, AUB and AECC to refine business ideas and discuss how they can make it a reality.
“The importance of bringing individuals together with shared goals should never be underestimated and it will be fantastic to see their progress in the coming months and years.”
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