ENTREPRENEUR Rajeeb Dey will aim to enthuse businesses and graduates about the value of internships and new enterprise at the launch of an event celebrating York’s graduate talent.

York St John University will launch its Faculty of Arts’ end of year show, Create 11, on May 19 at 6pm with the event to encourage businesses to take on graduate interns.

Rajeeb, O2’s Young Entrepreneur of the Year 2009, is the founder and chief executive of Enternships.com, a portal which connects students and graduates to “entrepreneurial” work placements in start-ups and small businesses worldwide.

The entrepreneur, who attracted global media attention, is now supporting the new StartUp Britain campaign, a private sector-led campaign launched in March 2011 to deliver support and advice for start-up companies to boost enterprise in the UK.

Jenny Hall, creative business development manager at York St John University said: “Creative Business acts as a bridge linking students and graduates with industry and the creative sector. We are hoping Rajeeb’s insights will inspire graduates towards considering entrepreneurship as a career path, as well as unlock the possibilities for businesses and SMEs to tap into the benefits of working more closely with higher education institutions.”

Create11 is a two-week festival of music, theatre and dance performances, fine art and product design exhibitions, and film and TV screenings.

Guests at the launch night will have the opportunity to network and view performances and exhibitions.