The GoCode team are extremely proud and excited to be nominated
It has just been announced that Milton Keynes based GoCode Academy has been shortlisted for the 2017 NatWest Great British Entrepreneur Awards in the #GoDo Entrepreneur of the Year Award.
GoCode Academy beat off some tough competition in order to make the regional shortlist, with over 1000 businesses entering the awards nationally across the wide range of categories.
Now in its fifth year, the NatWest Great British Entrepreneur Awards has celebrated some amazing entrepreneurs over the years, many of whom are now household names. Past winners include David Buttress of Just Eat, Julie Deane of The Cambridge Satchel Company, James Watt of BrewDog and Alexander Solomou of TheLADBible Group.
GoCode Academy is on a mission to inspire the next generation of digital creators. They run after school coding clubs and holiday tech camps where kids can learn to code websites, build games, create apps and so much more. What differentiates GoCode Academy from the competitors is their focus on building essential soft skills. During the session students are pushed outside of their comfort zones to solve problems, work in teams and present their ideas to the group.
Born out of Natwest’s Entrepreneurial Spark business accelerator backed by DELL, KPMG and Pinsent Mason, in a short space of time they have reached over 3000 students in four locations; Milton Keynes, Bedford, Northampton and Harrow. Founded by Robert Rajeswaran, who was named FSB and WorldPay’s Young Entrepreneur of the Year 2017 has been covered by national and local press including The Guardian. Find out more about their upcoming October Tech Camp here: www.gocode.academy
“My 10 year old loved the tech academy. He found the trainer very approachable and he learned so much. Even being in a class was kids a lot older he was made to feel comfortable and included. He can't stop talking about the website he made!” said Barbara Lisgarten, parent who has recently sent her son to GoCode Academy.
Founder of GoCode Academy, Robert Rajeswaran, said: “We are extremely honoured to be shortlisted for this award, this is great reward for the hard work that we have put into making GoCode Academy a reality. We will continue to work even harder to provide the skills and opportunities for our young. We won’t stop until every child in the UK has the opportunity to earn to code.”
Creator of the Awards, Francesca James, said: “We have been inundated with some incredible entries this year, and all shortlisted applicants should be extremely proud of themselves! This year has seen a record number of entrants and we’ve been absolutely blown away by the strength and diversity of applications.”
“We cannot wait to celebrate entrepreneurship across Great Britain with them, and put a spotlight on the incredible talent within the British entrepreneur ecosystem.”
Gordon Merrylees, Head of Entrepreneurship at NatWest said: "I want to thank all of the entrepreneurs who entered this year and congratulate those who have been shortlisted, I look forward to seeing them at the regional finals.”
“It is clear that entrepreneurial spirit is alive and well and NatWest is thrilled to be able to support these awards to celebrate success with the businesses that are the lifeblood of the UK Economy as they start, scale and succeed.”
The NatWest Great British Entrepreneur Awards will celebrate entrepreneurship across a number of categories at 5 gala finals across the UK, including; Cardiff, Birmingham, Edinburgh, Manchester & London. You can find more information about the awards and the ceremonies here: www.greatbritishentrepreneurawards.com.
