Shell LiveWIRE

Shell LiveWIRE has been running in the UK since 1982, when it was launched in the Strathclyde region of Scotland to combat the high level of youth unemployment.

Since then it has helped thousands of young people in the UK to explore starting their own business and has spread to over 20 countries around the world.

Shell LiveWIRE offers an independent and free online service and awards programme for young entrepreneurs.

Shell LiveWIRE Website

www.shell-livewire.org - opens in new window

• Social network designed specifically for young entrepreneurs.
• Forum for debate and peer-to-peer advice.
• Business library, a vast resource of user-related information
• Video forum where experts will answer questions submitted by the users. 
• Video interviews with inspirational entrepreneurs and role models.
• Online surveys to allow users to vote on hot topics.

The Shell LiveWIRE Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award

The Shell LiveWIRE Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award of £10,000 recognises and celebrates the achievements of the UK's finest young entrepreneurs.

25-year-old Robert Matthams from London was named Shell LiveWIRE UK Young Entrepreneur of the Year 2009, walking away with the prestigious title and a £10,000 cash injection for his business, a carbon-friendly transport site, similar to eBay.  

Shiply.com - opens in new window provides an online marketplace where people list items they need to move and then receive bids in a reverse auction format from over 5,000 rated transport companies going there anyway. By making use of spare capacity in lorries, customers can save up to 75% on their deliveries. The business has been going for just over a year and has already saved over 1.6million kg of CO2 by making use of spare capacities. The business has over 40,000 customers and has saved them over £3million in reduced transportation bills.

On winning the award Robert said: “I’m thrilled to have won such a prestigious award. Some people might say it’s mad to set up a business in a recession but I always had confidence in the strength of my business idea. The last twelve months have been amongst the most exciting of my life and I can’t wait to take my business to the next level on the back of this award. This country is full of entrepreneurial talent and support networks like Shell Livewire are a great way to share ideas and get inspiration from people, just like me, determined to make a success of their businesses.

As a result of winning the award he featured on BBC five live and was interviewed on BBC Working lunch. Shiply also received valuable coverage in the press including the Evening Standard.

To find out more about Robert’s business visit his website www.shiply.com - opens in new window

The Shell Livewire Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award will open again for entries in Summer and the awards 2010 will be held in October.

Shell LiveWIRE Grand Ideas Awards

There are up to to 4 x £1,000 Shell LiveWIRE Grand Ideas Awards given every month to the most innovative or unusual ideas submitted by young entrepreneurs in their first 12 months of trading. Previous winners are listed in the video lounge of the Shell LiveWIRE site.

To enter the Shell LiveWIRE Young Entrepreneur of the Year Awards or the Shell LiveWIRE Grand Ideas awards you must be a registered user of the Shell LiveWIRE network, based in the UK and aged 16-30.

Visit www.shell-livewire.org - opens in new window to find out more...