The event brought together 150 entrepreneurs from a range of sectors and backgrounds from Karen Hanton, creator of restaurant booking website Top Table, to representatives from Scarborough - recently named the most enterprising place in Britain and Europe.
The Prime Minister heard first hand how entrepreneurs are making the most of the opportunities created by the recession and dealing with the challenges ahead.
Prime Minister Gordon Brown said at the reception:
"I want to thank each of you individually for making the big decision to start a business, for taking the risk to do so, for making all the effort that has made your business a success. For showing the ambition and the aspiration to do something not just for yourself but for people whom you employ, and in that way to make our country a stronger and better place.
"Our aim is to do everything we can to support your ideas, and your innovations, to support the enterprise and the entrepreneurial culture that exists in so many areas of our country. We want to support you in the efforts that you make, to make for a stronger economy. I believe that the countries that will succeed in the future, the countries that will do best in this new global economy are those who can unleash the talents, the creativity and enterprise of its citizens."
Business Secretary, Lord Mandelson went on to say:
"Britain’s entrepreneurs have the skills, resources and knowledge base to lead us out of the downturn - the Government's job is to do everything it can to support growing businesses and to remove barriers to success.
“This reception is an opportunity to hear first hand from those entrepreneurs and businesses owners who have shown great enterprise and flair in ensuring that their businesses are successful in the current climate.”
Notes to editors
1. The event was held on June 22 at Number 10 Downing Street.
2. Information on some of the entrepreneurs that attended the reception is below. For pictures and more details please contact the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills press office.
Stephen Collins - Lazarus Mobility - Huddersfield, West Yorkshire
Stephen has been disabled all his life due to cerebral palsy. After one year’s trading, he employed three members of staff, had moved into new business premises and had really turned his disability into a business advantage. Lazarus Mobility supplies mobility aids and everyday products for disabled people. To enhance his offering, where possible, he looks to employ people with disabilities who can offer good service to customers. Duncan Bannatyne of Dragon’s Den fame was impressed by Stephen that he agreed to provide funding and advice to Lazarus Mobility for 12 months. The company has also made it on to Start-ups 100, which lists the most exciting and innovative emerging small companies predicted to become the big businesses of tomorrow.
Karen Hanton – Top Table - LONDON
Karen Hanton is the powerhouse behind toptable, Europe’s largest online restaurant and party booking service. During her career, Karen has received significant public recognition including: the Financial Times/Moet Hennessy Extraordinary Achievers Award; she was named as one of today’s top 30 entrepreneurs in new Business Magazine; and was named as one of the top 100 most influential people in the first decade of the internet in an NOP/e-consultancy poll.
Karen is currently launching a new social enterprise, Call Britannia which will offer an outsource call centre service. Karen plans to set up 10 contact centres in the most deprived and disadvantaged communities in the UK and her recruitment process will positively discriminate in favour of the unemployed.
Imran Hakim - iTeddy
Young entrepreneur Imran Hakim is best known as one of the most successful individuals to gain investment on BBC2’s Dragons’ Den with his innovative iTeddy product. An optometrist by profession, he runs a successful group of independent practices in and around his home town of Manchester.
Julie Diem Le – Zoobug Sunglasses
Julie Diem Le set up a successful business selling sunglasses having attended a course run by Business Link in Birmingham. She now exports her glasses to 20 countries around the world.
Adrian Riley – Electric Angel
Adrian Riley set up electric angel design in inner-city Bradford in 2000 with intention of providing good quality graphic design to the voluntary sector. He relocated to Scarborough in 2003 where he became involved with the Renaissance Partnership (where local authority, business and community work together to deliver the towns future) and helped create the first 'digital Scarborough' event in 2005 - a showcase of local digital business, education and enthusiasts.
Most recently, Adrian and the Renaissance Partnership won the Enterprising Britain Award - a nationwide competition to find the most enterprising place in the UK – a location where enterprise is creating jobs and transforming communities.
The Partnership went on to win the Grand Jury Prize at this year’s European Enterprise Awards run by the European Commission, making it the overall winner, and being named the most enterprising place in Europe.