THE next Virgin Startup event in Bournemouth is for women who want to start a business or take an existing one to the next level.

The event, Inspiring Women Entrepreneurs, is on Wednesday, May 23, 6pm, at THIS Workspace in the Daily Echo building.

It will hear from five successful women entrepreneurs:

n Tara Howard, who left school at 16, became a commercial airline pilot and founded the Venus Awards for women in business.

n Megan Fairhall, a dental hygienist and therapist, who went on to practise in Harley Street and founded Live to Smile.;

n Erin Thomas Wong, who has created five businesses including the online community Making Mumpreneurs;

n Dawn Cook, who runs her own health and beauty business as well as the Dynamic Women in Business group; and

n Lucienne Elms, a three-star event rider who turned her knowledge of horses into the equine sales business Horsescout.

Only 19 per cent of businesses in the UK are owned by women, but 40 per cent of Virgin Startup loans have gone to women.

The event aims to celebrate the diversity and creativity of female entrepreneurship, and to provide practical advice to give women the confidence and resources to take their businesses further.

Tickets cost £10 via Eventbrite.co.uk