About Shell LiveWIRE

Background and Introduction

What is Shell LiveWIRE?

• Shell LiveWIRE combines an online support service and awards programme for young entrepreneurs in the UK 
• Shell LiveWIRE is one of Shell’s Social Investment Programmes
• Since it’s inception in 1982, Shell LiveWIRE has helped over 600,000 young people in the UK to explore starting their own business
• Shell LiveWIRE is now active in 22 countries, helping young people around the globe explore enterprise and entrepreneurship, and providing them with global networking opportunities
• Shell LiveWIRE offers an independent service with no costs or strings attached so everyone can benefit

What exactly does Shell LiveWIRE have to offer?

• £1,000 'Grand Ideas Awards' for the most innovative new business ideas throughout the year
• £10,000 'Shell LiveWIRE Young Entrepreneur of the Year Awards'
• International Discussion Forum where young entrepreneurs can exchange knowledge and debate business issues
• International Social Network and promotional opportunities
• Business Library containing information on start up and early stage growth  
• News and reviews of interest to young entrepreneurs
• Questions submitted by young entrepreneurs will be answered in the Discussion Forum 
• Real time expert advice via the livechat facility
• High profile experts will give inspirational interviews on video
• Young entrepreneurs can voice their views via online polls and surveys

Why is Shell LiveWIRE different?

• It develops future entrepreneurs through a peer-led support service with user-generated content
• Largest bank of peer-reviewed information on enterprise for young people in UK
• Shell LiveWIRE is one of the only independent enterprise schemes across the UK
• Offers unconditional, fully-funded service with no costs or strings attached
• Support for everyone - but particularly those aged 16-30 
• Helps young people around the globe explore enterprise and entrepreneurship, providing them with international reach and global networking opportunities
• One of the longest running youth enterprise schemes in the UK, promoting enterprise as a real career option since 1982
• Helps drive global economies through the championing of youth enterprise

Why does Shell fund Shell LiveWIRE?

• As part of Shell’s commitment to social responsibility, we want to ensure that we have a positive impact in the countries and communities in which we operate which go wider than direct business impacts 
• We believe that Shell LiveWIRE and our other programmes will play an important role in the UK's ability to meet many of the most pressing challenges facing society - not least, to meet growing energy demand in sustainable ways
• Young entrepreneurs are vital to drive the future of the UK economy, and Shell wants to play it’s part in supporting them

What else does Shell do?

In the UK, Shell is involved in Social Investment programmes that support science, education and innovation. These include:

• Shell STEP (www.step.org.uk) - helps young people develop business skills and move into the world of work by providing summer work placements with small companies
• Shell Springboard (www.shellspringboard.org) - provides a no-strings financial boost of up to £40,000 to innovative business ideas that tackle climate change
• Shell Education Service - delivers fun interactive workshops to over 50,000 school children each year to encourage and inspire them to explore and question science
• Communities, Employees and Universities
• Shell and Science skills
• Inspiring Sponsorships
• Shell Eco-Marathon Youth Challenge UK

For more information on the programmes above, visit Shell's UK Social Investment website here