Make Your Mark with a Tenner

For anyone who missed it last time round, Make Your Mark with a Tenner loans young people £10 for one month and challenges them to make as much profit and social impact as they can. Anyone looking to apply for a Tenner can do so by downloading the application form (Word Doc 577.5kb) and bank details form (Word Doc 389kb) now!

Make Your Mark with a Tenner will take place throughout February 2009 and will be open to at least 20,000 young people aged 19 and under from schools, colleges and youth groups across the UK.

This year’s competition is supported by NESTA, the National Endowment for Science Technology and the Arts.

The big name backers who have put up their own cash to show their belief in young people in the UK are the charismatic serial entrepreneur and star of Dragons’ Den, Peter Jones - who himself ran his first business before he was 18 - and Michael and Xochi Birch, the inspirational founders of social networking site Bebo. Having put a total of £200,000 into the ‘Tenner Bank’, this means we have DOUBLE the number of tenners to loan to this year’s budding young entrepreneurs.

We’re also encouraging young people to find their own tenners so they can extend the ‘Tenner Bank’ and play along at home.

Prizes will be awarded to those with the most profit, the greatest social impact and for ventures in special categories such as Sport and Online.

How can I get involved?

NEWS-FLASH! Only a few Tenners left!

There are a limited number of Tenners still available. If you or your school/youth group want to get involved you’d better get your skates on…

Teachers, tutors and youth leaders can download the application form (word document: 577KB) and email the completed form to: tenner@makeyourmark.org.uk to receive tenners for their young people. There are 20,000 tenners available from the Tenner Bank and based on the pilot in 2006 we expect to be oversubscribed so apply as soon as possible.

Young People (up to age 19) can tell your teacher or group leader that you, your friends, classmates or other group members want to take part. Ask the teacher/leader to fill out the application form and return it ASAP!. You can work individually or pool your Tenners to form a team.

Frequently Asked Questions

For any other queries have a look at our Frequently Asked Questions which should provide you with answers!

What people are saying about Make Your Mark with a Tenner

Peter Jones, Entrepreneur, BBC ‘Dragon’ and Make Your Mark Chair

“We’re aiming to show young people that, by acting on an enterprising idea, it is possible to both make money and make a difference. Quite rightly the next generation is becoming more and more interested in social and environmental issues, and we should tap into this energy, yet in today’s changed economic climate, we also need to remember that working hard to earn money yourself is also something that deserves recognition.”

Michael and Xochi Birch, Founders of Bebo

“Children and young people are naturally innovative and creative. Make Your Mark with a Tenner allows them to channel that natural ability while focusing on a very noble goal. This process shows them what can be achieved with an entrepreneurial mindset and hopefully giving them the inspiration to pursue a similar path later in life.”

Benedict Arora, Programme Director of NESTA’s Future Innovators team

“The UK needs the energy, talent and entrepreneurial spirit of young people now more than ever. This is a fantastic opportunity for twenty thousand young people to show us just how much they can achieve.”

Oli Barrett, Entrepreneur and co-creator of Make Your Mark with a Tenner

“When we first announced the idea, it was met with much scepticism. People couldn’t believe that we were handing out £10 notes to young people, and questioned their ability to be trusted with the money – never mind to make a profit and reinvest it. But, underestimate the younger generation at your peril… The largest profit was a massive 4100% and over half the young people gave money to a social or environmental cause. It’s fantastic to see the competition back, bigger and better than ever!”

Scott Cain, Make Your Mark Deputy Chief Executive

“With interest rates plummeting and the old investment certainties looking less sure footed, I’d bet my money – if I had any – on the UK’s young people giving a healthy return!”