AN ENTREPRENEUR who followed his passion for technology and founded "the first green broadband company" at just 23 years of age admits he had been kicked out of school and had ‘felt like a failure.’

Luke Chapman from Fordinbridge set up Earth Broadband after spotting a gap in the market at overpriced broadband deals and poor customer service. 

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Luke said: "I found school difficult. If I wasn't learning about technology, I wasn't interested. I was kicked out of school and felt like a failure.

“I had a decision to make, follow the wrong crowds, or follow my passion for technology.”

Luke chose technology and connected with professionals in the broadband industry, technology, and climate industries where he was mentored which helped him to get his business where it is today. 

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The company has a green mission statement and is on target to plant  6,000,000 trees each year.

Luke said: "We are on track to plant 5,000,000 trees by the end of 2023. Our reforestation sites plant trees in Madagascar, Mozambique, Kenya, Nepal, Ethiopia, Brazil and other countries.

"One of the reasons I started Earth Broadband was to make a difference. Not only do our customers plant trees every month by having their broadband with us, but they're also creating jobs, protecting ecosystems and being a massive part of mitigating climate change."

Luke is keen to show people that anything is possible and said: "If I can do it, anyone can.”