British Council seeks young design entrepreneurs

‘We are seeking the brightest young business talents working in the design industry,’ says the award scheme’s acting programme manager Karen Kindley.

Potential entrants do not need to be running their own business, ‘as long as they can demonstrate their entrepreneurialism within an organisation’, Kindley says.

The competition is open to designers working in product, furniture, exhibition or events design, as well as in architecture.

Successful applicants’ work will be displayed at 100% Design, which takes place during the London Design Festival in September.

Six finalists will be invited on a paid-for tour of Turkey’s design industry for about ten days in November.

‘They will still be competing at this point, so will be encouraged to network and make collaborations with designers and other entrepreneurs in Turkey,’ says Kindley. Back at home, the finalists will be interviewed about their experiences and a winner awarded £5000 to spend on developing a project with a Turkish contact.

The deadline for applications to the UK Young Design Entrepreneur award is 24 August. The competition is open to designers aged from 25 to 35.