Rebecca Harris joined the UK’s 20 Under 20, celebrating the 20 most promising entrepreneurs school leavers. The troop of teenagers have been handpicked by TransferWise’s team of judges for an exceptional prize to help them to grow their business internationally.

Rebecca Harris MP attended the UK’s 20 Under 20 event in Parliament to celebrate the 20 most promising entrepreneurs and school leavers. The top 20 teenagers were handpicked by TransferWise’s team of judges for an exceptional prize to help them grow their businesses internationally. Joe Hall and Joe Burns, from King Johns School in Benfleet were amongst the worthy finalists who were commended for their entrepreneurship.

All 20 finalists received mentoring from businesses leaders from the UK’s fastest growing businesses such as Deliveroo, Brolly and BeautyStack, alongside an all expesnes paid trip to Estonia, TransferWise borderless business accounts and £1 million worth of fee-free international payments. The lucky winner wasgiven an additional £10,000 business investment from TransferWise co-founder and Chairmen Taavet Hinrikus.

Just over 1% of the total number of businesses started in the East of England this year were started in Castle Point. Schemes like TransferWise’s 20 Under 20 will grow that number by supporting young people to start and sustainably grow international businesses. The Start-Up Loan Scheme, introduced by the Government in 2012, will also encourage more entrepreneurial businesses to start. The scheme provides financial and mentoring support specifically to entrepreneurs starting their own business, and has already supported 54,000 people with over £400 million in loans. These loans are available to anyone over the age of 18 with a viable business idea, and you can find out more on their website: www.startuploans.co.uk.

Rebecca Harris MP said:

“It was wonderful to welcome Joe Hall and his business partner Joe Burns to celebrate their entrepreneurial success. These two Castle Point boys have had great success in developing their business alongside completing their A-Level studies with the support of their head teacher. I was especially proud to hear that they met Chief Secretary to the Treasury, Liz Truss, to discuss the issues that the Government could address to support young entrepreneurs such as; the requirement that one must be 18 years of age to start their own business bank account. The 20 under 20 scheme will hopefully be run again soon, and I wholeheartedly encourage residents of Castle Point to take part.”