Pop star Will.i.am has backed a bid to encourage young entrepreneurs launched by the Duke of York in partnership with Huddersfield University.
The pilot scheme hopes to support 1,000 budding entrepreneurs by investing £150,000 into their ideas for business plans.
Huddersfield University has been announced as a core partner to the Inspiring Digital Enterprise Awards (iDEA).
A number of high profile celebrities are backing the scheme including Black Eyed Peas singer and music producer Will.i.am.
Huddersfield University’s vice-chancellor Prof Bob Cryan said: “We heard that the Duke of York was taking a keen interest in a project called Inspiring Digital Enterprises which is also being backed by Will.i.am.
“The Duke is well aware of our expertise and our support in Huddersfield for encouraging entrepreneurs and has asked us to be a partner.
“One of the projects is very close to Will.i.am. as he grew up in a poor area of California and is determined to do all he can to help young people there, perhaps through work with music.
“We were asked to come up with a 3D image of a musical globe, symbolising the importance of music technology around the world.
“The work was done in our 3D Printing centre in the 3M Buckley Centre and the results were put on show at the Barbican in London.
“People there were so impressed with the results that they have asked if it can be on show there in a permanent exhibition.
“We were delighted to help and I am sure the 3D work we are pioneering will continue to have a key role to play.
“As prices come down I can foresee a day when many of us have 3D printer in our homes.”
