Public Sector: Octopus to target young entrepreneurs

Prime Minister David Cameron launched the not-for-profit scheme in March, to dev-elop London as a technology powerhouse to rival Silicon Valley. The two-year programme aims to give graduates an accessible route into entrepreneurship, backed by some of the UK's leading entrepreneurs, student groups and major employers including McKinsey & Company, Microsoft, Tesco and BT.

Octopus' brief is to develop an awareness campaign in the national, regional and university media to drive interest in Entrepreneur First among UK undergraduates and postgraduates.

Entrepreneur First COO Alice Bentinck said: 'In order to help develop the next generation of Britain's entrepreneurs, it is important for us to promote the Entrepreneur First message and attract as many graduates as possible to the programme. PR and Octopus are going to be crucial in this process.'

The programme aims to support graduates starting their own businesses by offering mentorship from successful entrepreneurs, training in a curriculum developed with entrepreneurs, access to funding via a network of investors and the offer of free legal advice, software and other benefits.