Branson School of Entrepreneurship
{{Short description|Charitable organization}}
{{coord|18.445965|-77.922528|type:edu_globe:earth_region:JM|display=title}}
{{Infobox organization
| name = Branson School of Entrepreneurship
| image = Branson Centre of Entrepreneurship logo.png
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| type = Educational charity
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| founded_date = 2006
| founders = Richard Branson, Taddy Blecher
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| location = Johannesburg, South Africa
| addnl_location = Montego Bay, Jamaica
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| key_people = Executive Director Judi Sandrock
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| affiliations = CIDA City Campus, Virgin Unite,
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| website = {{url|bransoncentre.org}}
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The Branson School of Entrepreneurship (aka Branson Centre of Entrepreneurship) is a charitable organization that provides entrepreneurial training and financial support to international youth.{{cite web|last1=Unknown author |title=Branson School of Entrepreneurship |url=http://www.virgin.com/unite/entrepreneurship/branson-school-entrepreneurship |publisher=Virgin Unite |accessdate=July 3, 2014 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714114612/http://www.virgin.com/unite/entrepreneurship/branson-school-entrepreneurship |archivedate=July 14, 2014 }}
History
The Branson School of Entrepreneurship (BSE) was founded in 2006 as partnership between Taddy Blecher and Richard Branson{{cite news|last1=Staff writer|title=Richard Branson opens entrepreneur school in Joburg|url=http://www.sagoodnews.co.za/education/richard_branson_opens_entrepreneur_school_in_joburg.html|publisher=The Good News|date=October 27, 2005|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714153545/http://www.sagoodnews.co.za/education/richard_branson_opens_entrepreneur_school_in_joburg.html|archivedate=July 14, 2014}} in Johannesburg, South Africa{{cite news|last1=Branson|first1=Richard|title=Richard Branson on the Myth of the Lone-Wolf Entrepreneur|url=http://www.entrepreneur.com/article/217567|accessdate=July 3, 2014|publisher=Entrepreneur|date=November 22, 2010}} as part of the non-profit foundation, Virgin Unite.{{cite news|last1=Ruddick|first1=Graham|title=Sir Richard Branson teaches African entrepreneurs Dragons' Den-style|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/supportservices/5906838/Sir-Richard-Branson-teaches-African-entrepreneurs-Dragons-Den-style.html|accessdate=July 3, 2014|publisher=The Telegraph|date=July 25, 2009}} By 2009 the school had given financial mentoring and training to 4,100 students. The school's managing director was James Wanjohi{{cite news|last1=Unknown author|title=Sir Richard Branson visits the Branson School of Entrepreneurship C|url=http://www.iol.co.za/news/sir-richard-branson-visits-the-branson-school-of-entrepreneurship-1.676359|publisher=IOL News}} and
Virgin Unite was considering additional schools in the United States, Britain and Kenya at that time. In January Branson visited the school to give awards and recognition to selected students.{{cite news|last1=Staff reporter|title=Mail & Guardian News Opinion Business Arts & Culture Education Sci-Tech Multimedia Special Reports In The Paper zapiro Partners Business Africa Business Branson dares young entrepreneurs to dream|url=http://mg.co.za/article/2009-01-11-branson-dares-young-entrepreneurs-to-dream|accessdate=July 3, 2014|publisher=Mail & Guardian|date=January 11, 2009}}
Beginning in 2011 the BSE became known as the Branson Centre of Entrepreneurship with Judi Sandrock as its executive director.{{cite news|last1=Mdluli|first1=Ayanda|title=Branson in SA to encourage entrepreneurs In News|url=http://ebschool.com/2011/02/branson-in-sa-to-encourage-entrepreneurs-article-by-ayanda-mdluli-business-report-thursday-february-3-2011/|accessdate=July 3, 2014|publisher=Entrepreneurial Business School|date=February 3, 2011}} In September, Branson opened a branch in Montego Bay, Jamaica.{{cite news|title=Sir Richard Branson Launches Branson Centre Of Entrepreneurship In Jamaica|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/09/08/sir-richard-branson-launches-branson-centre-of-entrepreneurship_n_954386.html|accessdate=July 3, 2014|publisher=Huffington Post|date=September 8, 2011}}
Description
The school's goal is to stimulate local economies by training and mentoring disadvantaged youth. As of 2006, BSE training was part of the curriculum at CIDA City Campus{{cite news|last1=Couglan|first1=Sean|title=Branson backs African students|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/education/4417378.stm|accessdate=July 3, 2014|publisher=BBC|date=November 8, 2005}} serving 800 youths per year. The BSE provides financial support, in the form of "seed money" loans, for the most well conceived business plans of each class.{{cite news|last1=O'Reilly|first1=Tammy|title=Branson school for small business|url=http://www.southafrica.info/business/trends/newbusiness/branson-271005.htm#.U7V4E7FR_Ep|accessdate=July 3, 2014|publisher=South Africa|date=October 27, 2005|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140727185504/http://www.southafrica.info/business/trends/newbusiness/branson-271005.htm#.U7V4E7FR_Ep|archive-date=July 27, 2014|url-status=dead}}
References
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External links
- {{official|http://bransoncentre.co/caribbean/}}
- [https://www.theprofitableexpat.com/ The Profitable Expat Website]
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20140623015135/http://www.bransoncentre.org/SouthAfrica/aboutus.html Branson Centre of Entrepreneurship]
- [https://sequoialegal.com/blog/what-is-a-search-fund-and-how-does-it-work What Is A Search Fund & How Does It Work?]
{{Greater Johannesburg|edu}}
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Category:Entrepreneurship organizations
Category:Universities in Jamaica
Category:Business schools in South Africa
Category:Education in Johannesburg