The Peter Jones Foundation (PJF) has once again teamed up with consultancy FRP to launch the National Entrepreneur of the Year 2026 competition, with the aim of discovering and supporting the next generation of British business talent.
The initiative, which returns after a successful program in 2025, is designed to support young entrepreneurs between the ages of 16 and 21, with a particular focus on those from underserved and underrepresented communities. According to organizers, the competition is not just about identifying promising ideas, but also about giving young founders the practical skills, confidence and networks they need to scale their ventures.
Applicants must submit an application along with an elevator pitch video outlining their business concept. Successful candidates advance to one of six regional semi-finals hosted by FRP across the UK, where they present their ideas to a panel of judges from the business community.
In addition to the competitive element, participants will gain access to PJF’s business bootcamps, which provide hands-on support in refining business models, improving pitching techniques and developing commercial awareness – a key differentiator from more traditional pitch competitions.
Each semi-final winner will receive a £1,000 scholarship and secure a place in the national final, where the finalists will present to a distinguished panel of judges chaired by Peter Jones CBE along with Geoff Rowley, CEO of FRP. The overall winner will receive a £10,000 scholarship, the runner-up will receive £5,000, while all finalists will benefit from ongoing mentorship and support.
The program has a strong track record of supporting young entrepreneurial talent. Previous participants include Ross Bailey, founder of Appear Here, which has now raised more than $20 million in venture capital, and David Humpston of ViewPoint Videos, one of the most recent recipients of a Virgin StartUp loan. More recently, Miah Maddock-Hodgins, founder of the MCR Education Hub, has used the platform to build an inclusive education business that supports young people outside of mainstream school.
Last year’s competition attracted hundreds of participants from across the UK and awarded £21,000 in grants. The 2025 title was won by Liam Harte for Rephobia, a virtual reality therapy platform designed to support people struggling with phobias. An example that organizers say reflects the growing sophistication and social influence of youth-led businesses.
Peter Jones said he was looking forward to seeing high-caliber talent emerge from this year’s selection, noting that the competition continued to highlight the ambition and creativity of young entrepreneurs across the country. Geoff Rowley added that the program plays a crucial role in helping young people “take their entrepreneurship to higher levels”, describing participants as the future innovators and job creators of the UK economy.
The relaunch comes at a time when nurturing entrepreneurial talent is increasingly seen as central to long-term economic growth, particularly as younger generations look beyond traditional career paths and focus on building their own businesses.
If you are an entrepreneur between the ages of 16 and 21 and would like to apply for the competition, click HERE and submit your entry by Friday, May 15, 2026.
