The Prince’s Trust Whizz Kid launches search for ‘Fresh Prince’

The Prince’s Trust backed drug-dealer-turned-entrepreneur Duane Jackson, 30, has launched his own search for ‘The Fresh Prince’ in collaboration with the Partnership in Enterprise programme.

Jackson, whose web-based accountancy software business, Kashflow, received a start-up loan, grant and mentoring from The Prince’s Trust is now valued at up to £10 million. It is regarded as one of The Prince’s Trust’s greatest success stories. As result of his association with ‘The Prince’ he has met Alistair Darling, Bill Gates and been interviewed by BBC Dragon’s Den star Duncan Bannatyne.

Jackson believes that young people, with the ‘low barriers to entry’ created by new technology, have the ability to launch successful businesses today more than ever before.Jackson is on the search for an intern to work with him at Kashflow and develop a new business opportunity.Last week he visited Brampton Manor, in Newham, East London, the school he was expelled from. He told students how, rather than excel, he fell in with the wrong crowd and ended up being imprisioned in America for exporting drugs. Something he now regrets.

He explained how he got his lucky break when he met Lord Young of Graffham, the former Conservative Party Trade Secreatary and Former Chairman of Cable & Wireless. “He agreed to back me,” says Jackson. “I never thought I would invest in anyone like Duane Jackson,” admits Lord Young. “But the experience has been enlightening.”

Date posted: July 2, 2009

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