THE next generation of the Hampshire’s entrepreneurs are being urged to pitch their ideas to Virgin bosses as part of a prestigious competition.

Winchester has been chosen as a location where Virgin’s “Voom Bus” will stop off in October as part of the company’s Voom UK tour to find the best new business ideas.

Officially unveiled by Britain’s most famous entrepreneur, Sir Richard Branson, the first ever VOOM Tour will take the national competition out of London over the next six months to track down the brightest business ideas from right across the UK and Ireland.

Over the next six months the Voom Tour schedule will include Belfast, Birmingham, Cardiff, Dublin, Dundee, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Manchester, Newcastle and Winchester.

Virgin Group Founder, Sir Richard Branson, said: “The Voom Bus is going on tour to seek out brilliant British entrepreneurs and to help them break down the business barriers in their way.

“We’re bringing the Voom Tour into communities and challenging people to put aside their fears and pitch their business ideas as we travel across the UK.

“The Voom Tour is a fantastic way for people to get started on what could be the most significant journey of their business life.”

Winchester City Council has committed to being an enterprising organisation under its new Council Strategy, and is keen to encourage a similarly enterprising culture in the local economy.

Assistant director for economy and communities, Eloise Appleby said: “We are proud to be the only city south of London on the VOOM tour, and will be working with the organisers and with Hampshire County Council to ensure that the sessions offered on the bus are tailored to the needs of local entrepreneurs to give them the very best support – whether they go through to the national pitching competition or simply apply for the council start-up grant.”

VOOM is the country’s biggest pitching competition. It begun in 2011 to encourage the UK’s next generation of business men and women, and to give them the tools they need to thrive and grow.

Virgin Media Business is looking for local people with the courage to pitch their business idea at each tour stop, giving them the chance to win a regional prize of £5,000 and one of ten chances to meet and receive advice from Sir Richard Branson.

Experts from partners including Virgin StartUp will also be on hand to provide valuable expertise, help and advice on how to launch and scale a start-up.

The national competition will return in March 2018 and will again provide the chance to win a share of £1m in prizes.

For more details on the tour and for anyone with a great business idea, who wants to register to pitch at their local event, they should visit virginmediabusiness.co.uk/voom.