BUDDING entrepreneurs are being challenged to turn a £10 note into a trip of a lifetime.

Business students at the University of Chester will put their entrepreneurial skills to the test by taking part in an Apprentice-style task which sees them turning an initial investment of £10 into a £5,000 trip to Rio.

Challenge 2013: Destination Rio has been launched by Chester’s Enterprise Society (CES) this month aiming to nurture the next generation of entrepreneurs..

The project is a collaboration by The University of Chester and The Riverside Innovation Centre (RIC), and partly funded by the European Regional Development Fund and Cheshire West and Chester Council.

From November 2012 to February 2013, teams of four students will be challenged to fund their travel to the Global Entrepreneurship Congress in Rio de Janeiro, in March 2013 by embarking on a series of tasks designed to equip them with valuable business and employment skills for the future.

Along the way they will be supported and mentored by people already in commerce and education.

The challenge will begin during Global Entrepreneurship Week from November 12-18, where teams will have just 48 hours to test their enterprising ideas in and around Chester, using only their £10 note.

Kirsty Badrock, innovation and enterprise co-ordinator at the Riverside Innovation Centre, said: “This new initiative will provide students with a well-structured and planned series of opportunities to learn about the realities of starting up an enterprise in a fun and engaging way.

“Equally, the ultimate aim – the opportunity to attend the GEC2013 in Brazil – will allow students to network with entrepreneurs, investors, researchers and policymakers from across the globe,” she explained.

Will Mason, CES president, added: “When we launched at this year’s Freshers’ Fair, the level of engagement was outstanding and students were really excited.

“Students across all faculties showed incredible enthusiasm for getting involved with the challenge to both gain skills, and get to know like-minded people, which will ultimately give them the edge when they leave university.

“In order to achieve this, it’s no surprise students want to participate in extra-curricular activities to enhance the overall student experience and this is it.”

To find out about becoming a team advisor or sponsor, contact Kirsty Badrock on 01244 512252 or k.badrock@chester.ac.uk