Latest News

We are excited to announce the winners of the Big Leap Competition 2008

1st Place - Amy Winters and Kseniya Zagorodnyuk, Founders of Couture Clubbing

Couture Clubbing creates clothes for high-end nightclubs and other glamorous red-carpet events. Unique couture pieces are created for special events including fashion galas, concerts and award ceremonies. They use fabrics that react to sound, light and atmosphere which are especially suited to entertainment. Amy and Kseniya have recently been shortlisted for the Channel 4Talent award and received £30,000 of R&D funding from the Technology Strategy Board.  

Striding Out gave us that essential (and inspiring) piece of training in what turned out to be a supportive environment. The interactive seminars, tasks and support network of the programme helped us transform a basic idea into what is now an investment-ready business. We are now working with primary technological companies and have even been featured on Sky News. Striding Out has offered entrepreneurs like us that vital push which turns ideas into business reality.

Check out our interview with Amy Winters

2nd Place - Lily Lapenna, Founder of MyBnk

MyBnk is an educational social enterprise that provides young people with the skills to manage their money effectively. MyBnk has created the first ever FSA friendly youth led banking scheme run by young people for young people, allowing them to save and take out interest free loans for the setting up of enterprising activities. This is accompanied by high-powered assemblies, workshops and projects on ethical banking, money management and ideas generation. Lily was recently awarded the Young Social Entrepreneur of the Year in 2008, by the Edge Upstarts Awards

'Striding out has helped me lay the foundation for MyBnk to grow from a single pilot project in Tower Hamlets to a social enterprise working with 10,000 young people across London. The striding out bootcamp, group coaching circles and individual coaching sessions have helped me to develop a clear vision, to consolidate a strong team, to build effective networks and to do all this with a constant sense of fun and passion. I recommend becoming part of Striding Out to all social entrepereneurs'

3rd Place - Chris Jenkins, founder of TLM

TLM consults with large leisure/event facilities, sporting stadia, music companies, and government bodies. They focus on audience development and demand generation and are working on innovative projects with Live Nation, Creative and Cultural Skills, Nottingham Arena, BIC/Pavilion and Solent Leisure are some of TLM dynamic clients and partners.  Chris has recieved an award by the British Chamber of Commerce for the Most Promising New Business last month.

'Striding Out allowed me to pick the brains of like-minded entrepreneurs about to embark on spectacular business adventures. Starting a new business from scratch is hugely exciting, but also incredibly challenging; Striding Out helped provide that support and encouragement needed, giving you the confidence to make that big leap, and leave that salary behind!. If there is one thing a start-up needs to know; it's you're not alone.'

The Big Leap Contestants were given access to Get Charged Up Coaching Circles, a five day apprentice-style business bootcamp.

The winners will be put forward for investment to the Angels Den.

The Big Leap was kindly supported by the following local authorities in London - Ealing , Croydon, Bexley , Hillingdon , Hammersmith and Fulham , Islington , Camden and Manchester - Oldham , Tameside , Rochdale , and Bury .

The Mentoring Opportunity

Do you....

Want to give something back? ... Share your experiences? .... Enjoy helping others? ....Develop your mentoring skills?

We are on the lookout for skilled individuals to volunteer their time to support our young entrepreneurs to successfully start or run a business.

Our coaches call on our bank of mentors to help our coaching clients overcome specific gaps in their knowledge or expertise.

Striding Out is excited to announce it has secured a new contract with Liverpool Vision to deliver events, coaching and workshops to young entrepreneurs in Liverpool.

Liverpool Vision is committed to nurturing young entrepreneurs in the local economy, with a particular emphasis on stimulating start-ups in high value, knowledge based and creative industries as well as in social and ethical enterprise.

Striding Out can now offer FREE one to one coaching sessions to pre-starts, and Group Coaching support to all young entrepreneurs in Liverpool.

If you are interested in finding out more about our services then please call us on 0151 267 0248 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it about one to one or group coaching and workshops. 

 The Future 100 young entrepreneurs

At Striding Out we searched for talented young entrepreneurs aged 18-35 who are demonstrating entrepreneurial flair and innovation in progressing a responsible business venture to celebrate Global Entrepreneurship Week 2008 -17th - 21st November.

Our defination of responsible business, is one which demonstrates a balance between economic, environmental and social goals to achieve ultimate business success. The future of our world is in the hands of individuals who are committed to generating commercial and ethical returns. 

Global Entrepreneurship Week is looking to unleash people's enterprising ideas to address some of the society's biggest issues.

Climate Change - Poverty - Gender Equality - Health

Founder of Striding Out Heather Wilkinson said:

"The future of our world is in the hands of individuals who are committed to generating commercial and ethical returns. 

Challenging economic times can offer opportunities to question the way we operate as both a business community and a society. We are looking for the 'Future 100' young entrepreneurs who are changing the face of everyday business and improve commerce's impact on the wider world."

The Future 100 young entrepreneurs are announced below:-

The Future 100 young entrepreneurs are advocates for sustainable business practices within their industry.

The Juding Panel consisted of

• Jo Hill, UnLtd
• Phil Tulba, Make Your Mark
• Anthony Ross, Bridges Community Ventures
• Michael Solomon, SEEWhatYouAreBuyingInto.com  
• Gaby Rose, British Library, Business and IP Centre

ATTEND the Future 100 Event

To celebrate the Future 100 young entrepreneurs, we are holding two profile events during Global Entrepreneurship Week 17th - 21st November in the North and South of England. Special guests from government, policy innovation and media will be invitied to attend.

Tuesday 18th November - London - Hosted by the British Library - Register to attend here

Thursday 20th November - Liverpool - Hosted by Blackburne House . - Register to attend here

Partners for the Future 100 include:-  

British Library  - Business and IP Centre

Striding Out Network Sponsors