Research Projects

Asking the views of young entrepreneurs and potential entrepreneurs, and learning from them, is important to the work of the Kent Foundation.

This essential strand of the Kent Foundation's work helps us develop initiatives and programmes to help young people explore enterprise and support them with their aspirations to start a business, which in turn aims to support the Kent economy.

Kent Foundation is prepared to invest in research projects in order to help others working in the field of enterprise education and young people based enterprise initiatives.

If you would like to know more about our research programme and/or receive copies of our research, please contact us.

Kent Foundation has commissioned the following research projects:

October 2009 - EmPower

This study looked at

Determining what young people see as their key requirements for starting a business.
Understanding the key motivational drivers that set young people on this path, for example looking at the areas; Sole option for earning, commercial opportunity based on innovative idea, yhe wish to manage one's own future, following the family tradition.
How ambitions correlates to the actions.
How young people have fared in Kent.
The impact been on business in Kent.
The difference in the requirements as related to age, life-skills, life-experience etc.
Forms of support delivery would most suitably support the younger market.
Key actions be required to address the situation.
In addition, the research examined previous initiatives and projects and their effectiveness.

The EmPower research has been conducted primarily with a Kent focus; however supportive information relating to other initiatives has been sought outside the area.

May 2008 - EnCourage

This study looked at the number of young people both considering and likely to start their own business, particularly gaining an insight into the "restrictors" and the "enablers" that influence young people's decisions.

The research focused on two groups of young people:

students leaving 6th form or college and not going to university;
recent or new graduates from Kent's universities.

Although it is appreciated that the findings specifically relate to Kent, they do have a wider relevance in the South East of England and the UK generally.

October 2007 - Supporting young people to start and grow their own businesses

This study mapped the support for young people to start and grow their own business as a basis for Kent Foundation identifying if and how it can add value to the exiting range of support already available.

The analysis is focussed towards identifying initiatives at four stages:

Creating a positive attitude and culture
Preparation for start up
Business start up
Business growth