Prontaprint, Xerox and HSBC hope to draw fresh blood into printing with a business package worth over 40,000.


YES, the Young Entrepreneur Scheme, is a support package - not a loan - to help young guns buy and run a Prontaprint franchise.


They will receive 27,000 in training, a franchise licence, and internal and external shop fit-out.


Xerox will provide 8,000 of kit, such as a DocuColor 12, and HSBC rounds off the package with preferential loan and banking facilities.


Prontaprint managing director Alan Barnett said: "Franchising is a lot of money. Younger people in a booming economy earn, say 50k in IT and are unlikely to start a career in print. We hope to attract them in a way that has never been done before."


The sponsors are targeting 25- to 35-year-olds with IT skills, vision, and a bit of oomph, he said. They have to put up 10,000 of their own and will be rewarded with franchises in lucrative areas such as London, Dublin and Manchester. A few rural pockets like Barnstaple in Devon are also thriving, said Barnett.


YES wants to make four entrepreneurs a year, "but if we get a flood of people, we will open our eyes again. We don't usually sell more than 15 businesses annually."


Prontaprint hopes the benefit of the YES head-start will be seen on the balance sheets of the 10-year franchises.


Story by Jez Abbott