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Successful entrepreneurs have united to help foster a new generation of London business hopefuls.
They include New Look's Tom Singh, Cinnamon Club's Rohit Chugh and eco-venture capitalist George Coelho.
All have agreed to mentor a GCSE or sixth-form student hoping to run their own firm. The one-year programme is run by the not-for-profit networking group The Indus Entrepreneurs.
The programme - called The Young Entrepreneurs - involves 22 students being taught a curriculum by the business leaders on subjects including marketing and finance. It will end with students split into teams to pitch a business plan to a panel of entrepreneurs and venture capitalists.
The winning team will then compete against winners from other countries in Silicon Valley - the technology hub of California - where they will meet leading world business experts.
Pupils have been selected from state and private schools across London after the group called on teachers to put forward their brightest stars.
Mr Coelho, founder of Good Energies, said: "We will encourage the youngsters to develop high expectations and hopefully achieve them."
