Wiltshire entrepreneurs will pitch to real ‘Dragon’ at upcoming expo
Wiltshire entrepreneurs are being offered the chance to pitch their businesses to a real ‘Dragon’ in front of a live audience at next month’s West Wiltshire Business Expo.
The event — which is taking place at The Civic in Trowbridge on Thursday 8th October — is inviting early-stage, product-based business founders preparing for their first investment, the opportunity to pitch their proposal to a panel of experienced entrepreneurs and business mentors, including former BBC Dragons’ Den investor, Nick Jenkins, founder of Moonpig.com.
Nick has lived in Wiltshire since 2010 and founded the online greeting cards and gifting company Moonpig in 1999.
The business grew to five million customers before it was sold in 2011 for £120 million and was then floated on the London Stock Exchange in 2021 with a valuation of £1.2 billion.
This ‘Get Investment Ready’ Dragons’ Den will offer entrepreneurs the opportunity to test their pitches in front of experienced business mentors and to receive constructive feedback and valuable advice to help prepare them for their first investment pitches.
Nick said, “I am very excited to be helping Wiltshire businesses on their journey. This is a great opportunity for the founders of Wiltshire businesses to fine-tune their business pitches and get ready for their first investments”.
Joining Nick on the panel will be Monty George, Co-Founder of Wiltshire’s online furniture brand Furniturebox, which has a turnover exceeding £25m and recently opened a £3m state-of-the-art distribution centre in Chippenham. The company’s rapid growth saw Monty named in the Forbes 30 ‘Under 30’ list and the business featured in the Sunday Times list of fastest-growing companies for two consecutive years.
He said, “I’m delighted to be taking part in the Dragons’ Den panel at the West Wiltshire Business Expo. Having started Furniturebox at 17, I understand first-hand many of the challenges young entrepreneurs face when building a business.
“I’m looking forward to sharing some of the experiences and lessons I’ve learned along the way and to hopefully offer some useful advice to those taking their own ideas forward.”
The West Wiltshire Business Expo is free to attend and is organised by the Trowbridge Chamber CIC in partnership with the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB). It will bring together industry leaders, emerging talent and forward-thinking organisations shaping Wiltshire’s economic future.
The expo features 40+ regional business exhibitors and offers an opportunity for ambitious businesses, entrepreneurs, investors and innovators to network, promote their brands and learn about the latest business insights, tech and strategies.
The one-day agenda includes inspirational speakers sharing their expertise on a wide range of subjects including AI, Marketing, Tech, Business Finance, Cyber Security, Accounting & Tax Initiatives, HR, Wellbeing in the Workplace, Skills & Apprentices, Sustainability and Investing in Wiltshire.
Speakers include the Leader and Cabinet Members of Wiltshire Council, West Wiltshire MPs, Wiltshire Town Mayors, and the CEOs and directors of some of Wiltshire’s largest businesses, including apetito, Nutricia, Good Energy, Danone, Wiltshire Farm Foods and Wiltshire College & University Centre.
Whether you are scaling your business, exploring investment, launching a start-up, or embracing new technology, the West Wiltshire Business Expo offers businesses the opportunity to showcase their brands and build strong local connections.
Young entrepreneurs looking for pitching practice, valuable business advice, publicity and feedback from the Dragons are invited to email: dragons@trowbridgechamber.com to request a Dragons Den application form.
Free tickets to the West Wiltshire Business Expo can be booked via Eventbrite.
For further information, contact Megan at: info@trowbridgechamber.com for the few remaining exhibitor and sponsorship opportunities.
