The Stewart Dakers' Bursary

Farnham Town Council has teamed up with the Young Business Showcase to offer a unique scholarship program aimed at supporting Farnham’s young entrepreneurs from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Named in honour of the Stewart Dakers, a dedicated former employee of Farnham Town Council and youth advocate who died in 2024, the Stewart Dakers’ Bursary will provide local young entrepreneurs (aged 7-17) with the tools and opportunities to launch their own businesses at the Farnham Young Business Showcase (YBS).

The Stewart Daker’s Bursary includes:

  • £80 start-up investment loan
  • Free entry to three events in one year (3 x £30)
  • Free access to the Build-a-Business Program online, video-based learning program
  • Weekly online mentorship check-ins

How to apply

  1. Register your interest by emailing info@youngbusinessshowcase.co.uk (with the subject line: Stewart Drakers’ Bursary)
  2. Fill in My Business Plan template. Link here: My Business Plan. This is your application. It’s a document that helps you work through your business idea and plan out the various stages of launching at the YBS. It will show us how original your idea is and how passionate you are about it. The more detailed you can add, the better. (Have a read of a successful scholar recipient application below.)

Timings

  • To be considered for the Spring 2026 cohort, applications need to be sent by Friday, February 13th 2026 at 5pm.
  • We aim to inform successful applicants by Sunday, February 15th 2026.
  • All recipients are eligible to launch at three Farnham YBS events within the next 12 months.

Who is eligible?

  • The Stewart Daker’s Bursary is currently open to Farnham residents, aged 7-17.
  • We are particularly interested in young entrepreneurs families who need support to afford the start-up cost and mentorship.
  • Please do not apply if you have already participated or applied to the YBS.

Please note:

  • Once accepted onto the YBS Scholarship, you will be asked to sign an agreement that holds you accountable to launching your business at the upcoming Farnham Young Business Showcase.
  • Applicants are not obliged to take the start up loan.
  • If the loan is required, successful applicants will agree to pay back the start-up costs from revenues earned at the Young Business Showcase. This allows recipients to understand the importance of costs. It also allows the YBS to continue to broaden access to the YBS for other young entrepreneurs.
  • Participants keep all profits made at the events.

Oliwia's business Squeaking Wonderlan won a CBF Scholarship

Success Story: Oliwia

Scholarship recipient, Oliwia (15), could not be a better ambassador for the future of entrepreneurship.

Oliwia’s acceptance onto the YBS Scholarship meant her start-up costs were covered (which she’s since paid back). She was also given free entry to the YBS, access to the Build-a-Business online program, and weekly 1-2-1 mentorship.

Launching at the YBS, Oliwia talked to everyone she could about Squeaking Wonderland (her business selling foraging mixes for small pets). Even those without a small pet got an earful…

Slick packaging, well-researched pricing, a great story and a laser focus on selling, meant that Oliwia nailed the sales of this niche, but very original product.

Then, not content with sales at the YBS, Oliwia continued to pound the streets, visiting local pet stores and going on to sell 30 more units!

It just shows – finding and owning a niche is a highly effective pathway to success!

SALUTE TO THE SCHOLAR!

READ OLIWIA’S CBF SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION HERE