Ignite Y
Build a business. Shape your future.
Ignite Y gives ambitious 18–25-year-olds the chance to run a real business opportunity created by an experienced entrepreneur.
You do not need your own idea or previous business experience.
Ignite Y is not a course, a job or a funding programme. You get a stronger place to start, real responsibility, practical support and the opportunity to earn long-term ownership through what you build.
There is no salary, guaranteed income or guaranteed success — but there is a genuine opportunity to build skills, confidence, income and something of your own through real commercial execution.
The simple idea
Young People
Some young people want to run a business but do not know what to start, where to begin or how to make it work.
Entrepreneurs
Experienced founders often have good business opportunities they believe in but do not have the time to build themselves.
Ignite Y
Ignite Y brings the two together. We prepare the opportunity. You take responsibility for building it.
How Ignite Y works
Step 1
We find real business opportunities
Experienced entrepreneurs bring forward credible business opportunities they believe in but do not have the time or capacity to build themselves.
Step 2
We turn them into a Business-in-a-Box
We shape each opportunity into a commercially defined model with the core information, processes and assets needed to start executing — a stronger starting point, not a guarantee of success.
Step 3
You build the business
You take responsibility for running the business, finding customers and growing it. As you deliver results, you have the opportunity to earn long-term ownership over time.
What you could build through Ignite Y?
Running a business can give you far more than income.
Build confidence
Grow by solving real problems and making real decisions.
Create income
Earn from something you help build and grow.
Grow your network
Meet customers, entrepreneurs and people who can open new opportunities.
Learn real skills
Develop sales, marketing, finance and leadership through experience.
Build something you're proud of
Create a business that reflects your effort and commitment.
Open doors for your future
The experience can lead to new businesses, careers and opportunities.
Register Interest
Complete the short registration form so we can understand a little about you and why you are interested.
Founders Call
A structured one-hour Founder Readiness Call to explore your motivation, assessment responses and a specific business opportunity.
How you get started
Six simple steps to start building your own business.
Orientation
Receive the Founder Guide, which explains Ignite Y, what running a business really involves and answers the most common questions.
Readiness Check
Complete and evidence the essential legal, financial and operational steps needed to get your business ready to trade.
Readiness Assessment
If you want to continue, complete the Operator Readiness Assessment to explore how you approach responsibility, action, learning and uncertainty.
Handover
Once everything is complete and verified, the Business-in-a-Box is released and you take responsibility for building the business.
Registering your interest does not guarantee progression, selection or access to a Businecs-in-a-Box.
What taking part really means
Running a business can be exciting, rewarding and a real opportunity to build confidence, skills, income and independence.
You will also need to find customers, follow up, manage the day-to-day work, deal with rejection, make decisions without having every answer and keep going when progress feels slow.
Ignite Y gives you a stronger place to start, clear structure, guidance and access to a mentor.
But the responsibility remains yours. You will be the person making decisions, learning from what happens and turning the opportunity into a real business.
You are likely to be a good fit if you:
Excited to run your own business
Ready to turn plans into action
Determined to follow things through
Willing to learn new skills
Open to feedback
Comfortable making decisions
Who is Ignite Y for?
Young People
For motivated people aged 18-25 who want to run a real business, deal with real customers and earn ownership through delivery.
Experienced Entrepreneurs
For existing founders with credible businesses
or business models they believe in but do not currently have the capacity to execute.
Partners
For universities, employability teams and organisations seeking practical ways to improve employability, enterprise readiness and progression outcomes
Ready to explore whether Ignite Y could be right for you?
Registering your interest is the first step. It takes around five minutes and helps us understand your background, motivation and initial alignment with the Ignite Y model.
If you choose to continue, you will then receive the orientation information and the opportunity to complete the Operator Readiness Assessment.