Simply Business and EPIC Launch Partnership to Empower Young Entrepreneurs in Northamptonshire

EPIC Entrepreneurs CIC and Simply Business have joined forces to support young aspiring business founders in Northamptonshire, strengthening pathways into entrepreneurship for 16–24-year-olds facing barriers to opportunity.

This purpose-led partnership forms part of The Simply Business Big Dreams Project, a national initiative aimed at helping 10,000 small businesses start or grow by 2030. Through the collaboration, participants will access EPIC’s fully supported Young Entrepreneur Programme, a structured, free business development experience designed specifically for young people with ambition but limited access to resources. 

Founded in 2022, EPIC is UK-wide and on a mission to help young people be fearless about their futures and contribute to a more inclusive society through business. The EPIC Programme is open to young people aged 16-25 living in the UK who have faced significant challenges or adversity in their lives, with a particular focus on individuals who have been through the care system, have refugee status, or have been through (or are on the periphery of) the youth justice system. EPIC also works with young people who have grown up in a proven low socio-economic background, have been excluded from mainstream education, are managing mental or physical health conditions, or are living with a disability. 

If anyone has faced barriers to starting their journey as an entrepreneur, EPIC is designed to help unlock potential by equipping them with the skills, mentorship and funding needed to turn ideas into thriving ventures. Through a structured three-month programme combining expert coaching, peer community and practical business training, EPIC has already helped more than 100 young visionaries create successful businesses and is actively expanding its reach across the UK to empower an even broader cohort of young entrepreneurs.

Turning Ambition into Action

The EPIC Young Entrepreneur Programme helps young people take their business ideas from concept to reality. Over a three-month period, participants benefit from: 

• Free access to high-value masterclasses (£3,417 worth) covering essential business skills including marketing, finance, business planning, project planning, and legal. 

• Expert mentorship, pairing each entrepreneur with seasoned professionals, investors and industry leaders who provide tailored guidance. 

• Funding support, including business grants of up to £500 and guidance on further financing pathways. 

• Community and confidence building, fostering resilience, ambition, and peer support. 

• Hybrid learning and celebration, combining online learning via the EPIC Entrepreneurs App with opportunities to graduate at an in-person event. 

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As part of the initiative, Simply Business has also donated laptops to EPIC to help ensure young people have the digital tools they need to fully engage with the programme, addressing digital exclusion and supporting business development and employability. 

A Partnership with Purpose

Simply Business, one of the UK’s largest small-business insurance providers, recognises the importance of not only protecting entrepreneurs but also helping them succeed from the very start of their journey. The Big Dreams Project, in partnership with EPIC Future, reflects this commitment by investing in skills, confidence, and real-world opportunities for the next generation of innovators. 

Applications are now open for Cohort 1, beginning early 2026. Young people aged 16–24 residing in Northamptonshire with a business idea, or those ready to strengthen their skills and confidence, are encouraged to apply and begin their EPIC journey: https://www.epicfuture.co.uk/apply-for-epic