FIVE aspiring entrepreneurs have discussed their ideas over lunch with Sir Richard Branson amid calls for more to come forward. 

Some of the region’s brightest young business people , backed by Project North East, rubbed shoulders with the heads of Britain’s fastest growing companies as well as pitching ideas to the Virgin boss.

Project North East, which is supported by Newcastle-based Virgin Money and hands out the Start-Up Loans, is asking for more youngsters to apply for funding after it revealed it still has £700,000 to lend.  It rewards outstanding business proposals with between £250 and £25,000 in funding.

Jo Barnett, Managing Director of Virgin Money Giving, said: “We’re delighted to be supporting North-East start-up businesses through the Start-Up Loans initiative.

“It was brilliant to see all of these young people just setting out on their business journey engaging with such highly established entrepreneurs. Their feedback has been wonderful and I know they all had a fantastic time.

“We look forward to even more start-up entrepreneurs from across the North East and Cumbrian region coming forward and applying to Project North East for their business loan.” 

The five companies to attend were: Bloom Studios, a Middlesbrough animation and special effects studio; SYO Kai Ltd, a luxury women’s clothes brand; Thousand Yard Films, which makes films for other companies; Ticky Turner Retailers, a clothes shop for local students; and Music Tutor Direct, a musical instrument tuition business based in Washington, Wearside.

Ellie Fox, from Ticky Turner, said: “It was really rewarding to be able to explain my business to a room full of already very successful and established businessmen. I certainly felt very privileged to have their time.”