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Hidden Entrepreneurs Selected for Citizen First LCR Programme

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Eight entrepreneurs from the Liverpool City Region have been chosen to participate in the Citizen First LCR programme, a new entrepreneurship scheme designed to support "hidden entrepreneurs" from underserved communities in developing businesses based on health and care challenges. These pioneering entrepreneurs will use their lived experience and deep understanding of their communities to develop practical solutions to important health and care challenges. The programme uses a CV-free application process and pitching workshops to reduce barriers and support those with lived experience of health and care challenges. The selected participants will receive a year's salary at the Real Living Wage, seed funding, and tailored business support.

Key Takeaways:

  • Eight entrepreneurs from the Liverpool City Region have been selected for the Citizen First LCR programme, a scheme designed to support "hidden entrepreneurs" from underserved communities.
  • The programme uses a CV-free application process and pitching workshops to reduce barriers and support those with lived experience of health and care challenges.
  • The selected participants will receive a year's salary at the Real Living Wage, seed funding, and tailored business support to develop businesses based on health and care challenges.
  • The cohort includes Sean Bailey from Runcorn, whose venture MySleepHealth offers AI-guided digital sleep support for conditions such as autism, ADHD, and insomnia.
  • Faye Boswell from south Liverpool is developing Sensified Spaces, a Tripadvisor-style platform to help neurodivergent people navigate public environments.
  • Other ideas include eco-friendly cleaning services using electric bikes, nature-based mental health programmes, and inclusive hairdressing services for people who cannot access traditional salons.
  • The businesses will be supported at Central Tech, a new innovation hub in the city.
  • The programme was over 20 times oversubscribed, making winning a spot a huge achievement and a reflection of the quality of their ideas and their passion to make a difference.

Statistics:

  • Eight entrepreneurs have been selected for the Citizen First LCR programme.
  • The programme received more than 20 times the expected number of applications.
  • The selected participants will receive a year's salary at the Real Living Wage.
  • Seed funding and tailored business support will also be provided to support the development of their businesses.
  • The cohort includes projects focused on AI-guided digital sleep support, neurodivergent-friendly platforms, eco-friendly cleaning services, nature-based mental health programmes, and inclusive hairdressing services.

Sources:

  • Civic Health Innovation Labs
  • Liverpool City Region's Health and Life Sciences Innovation Zone
  • Public Life
  • Liverpool City Region Combined Authority

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