Vibe Group’s founder and CEO Luke Massie is inviting approaches from aspiring entrepreneurs to join him at the Forbes Under 30 Summit on 30 September in the United States.
Twenty-five-year-old Massie, who sits in Forbes 30 Under 30 for retail and eCommerce, has paid for one extra place to the world-renowned entrepreneurs summit in Boston and committed to offer it to a worthy winner who will make the most of a ‘once in a lifetime’ opportunity.
The exclusive event, from 30 September to 3 October, sees more than 7,000 young entrepreneurs, visionaries and disruptors come together to hear from headline speakers working in investment, politics, technology, music and sport.
Massie pledged to award the place to “someone aspiring. A person who will make the most of the five-day trip and, who knows, maybe one day make the list themselves. The connections alone made on this trip are incredible”.
Announcing the offer on social media on Tuesday, Massie has already received approaches from a number of entrepreneurs keen to join him on his trip to Boston, Massachusetts at the end of the month.
One entrepreneur replied to his post saying: “I can’t lie and say that I wouldn’t love to come Luke. As someone who is trying to get my start up off the ground, I would never say I’m the most deserving but I can definitely get the most out of it.
“I suppose it would be one of those once in a lifetime opportunities, that I can’t help but want to throw my hat in the ring. Great thing you’re doing – as always!”
Another wrote: “How about one of the fire fighters from GMFRS? They worked so hard this summer.”
Several others have replied saying they would love to come but are over the age limit.
Massie said: “It wasn’t too long ago that I was striving to get my idea for Vibe off the ground. It takes grit and determination and a willingness to do things differently. People have backed me early on in my journey because they’ve seen something worth investing in and I’ve been lucky enough to be recognised by Forbes.
“The Under 30 summits are incredibly valuable – especially so for people like me. I came from a council estate in Preston and wasn’t ordinarily exposed to that calibre of entrepreneurialism. Being immersed in that community for 5 days is inspiring and intense and thought provoking. I’m fortunate to be going and to be in the position to extend the invitation. If I can give someone else the opportunity, why wouldn’t I? It’s a no brainer for me.”
Massie’s invitation to the Forbes summit follows his announcement last week of the launch of Vibe Pay – the no-fee, peer-to-peer payment platform headed up by payments veteran, Gary Prince.
Massie welcomes approaches via LinkedIn and Twitter, by 6pm on Thursday 20 September and will announce his chosen guest on Friday 21st.