A group of comms sector business leaders have set up the Entrepreneur Panel, a CSR initiative established in partnership with youth-led international development charity Restless Development.
The scheme brings entrepreneurs from across the ICT industry together to work on initiatives that promote entrepreneurship in Sub-Saharan Africa and Asia.
Solar Communications founder Mark Colquhoun and Virtual1 CEO Tom O'Hagan have taken lead roles, working alongside former Alternative Networks Director and current Virtual1 Non-Exec, Jim Sewell, who is a trustee at Restless Development.
The Panel hopes to raise £1m during the next five years to support its efforts across the ten countries Restless works in. That would fund around 35,000 young volunteers to help 280,000 people lift their own way out of poverty.
Virtual1 has entered into a three year partnership with the charity and will be sending two staff members to visit Restless Development's projects later this year.
O'Hagan said: "We were looking to do something different in our charity work, something that involves everyone in our business, excites people and makes a difference in the world."
Colquhoun added: "I want to make a big difference in something outside my work. And I love the fact that I am helping people set up businesses. The Panel is a new concept, so I have the chance to play a part in its development. Who knows what its potential is?"
To find out more about joining Restless Development's Entrepreneur Panel, please contact Philanthropy Manager Ella McNab on ella@restlessdevelopment.org