Northern Ireland Businesses Compete to
'Make a Million'

The companies have joined The Trust's Million Makers competition in a bid to see whose innovative ideas will generate the most return for the youth charity.

Million Makers challenges teams to turn a seed fund of £1,500 into a fundraising profit of £10,000 by coming up with original and inspiring enterprises and implementing them over a period of six months.

Teams from Allstate Northern Ireland, BNI Northern Ireland, Delta Packaging, Hewlett-Packard, Marks & Spencer, Northgate Managed Services, Parker Green International, RSM McClure Watters, ShredBank and Tughans are coming together with other teams across the UK to 'make a million'.

For their first task, teams will present their business plans to a Dragon's Den style panel in order to secure their seed funding. Safe in the knowledge that they have a robust and water-tight plan, they will then deliver their own mini enterprise.

Million Makers is a no-cost learning and development tool proven to build essential skills and motivate employees.

"We are only at the very beginning of the Million Makers challenge, but already our team is very enthusiastic about how we can turn our ideas into a lucrative business plan. Million Makers is an ideal opportunity for staff development and we are identifying the key strengths and skills of our team members."

"The real bonus is that any funds we raise will go to help The Prince's Trust work with young people in Northern Ireland which is a real incentive for us to come up with a winning enterprise." commented Rose Kelly, Vice President & Chief Administrative Officer at Allstate Northern Ireland.

Ian Jeffers, Director of The Prince's Trust in Northern Ireland welcomed the support of the companies participating in Million Makers, "Every year more than 3,000 young people take part in our programmes throughout Northern Ireland. Initiatives like Million Makers raise funds to help us make a lasting difference to their lives."

"This competition combines skills development and networking opportunities whilst raising much needed money for our work. At The Prince's Trust, we pride ourselves on creating mutually beneficial partnerships. For us it makes sense; we provide the learning and development opportunities for companies and they help us to raise vital funds."

"I have every confidence that Million Maker teams in Northern Ireland will lead the way in generating innovative, entrepreneurial and ultimately successful business ideas."

All the money raised will go directly to local programmes run by The Prince's Trust in Northern Ireland.