Flintshire’s very own Dragons’ Den style event is back and hoping to attract some talented people with new business ideas.
The free event is aimed at anyone who wants to be their own boss, or needs help becoming an entrepreneur, with people of all ages invited to pitch their idea. If the Dragons, who are all local business owners, think an idea has potential they will offer voluntary one to one mentoring over the next six months.
This year’s Dragons ready to offer their support are Askar Sheibani, CEO of Deeside-based Comtek, Christine Sheibani, Director of Comtek, Leyla Edwards from KK Fine Foods, Paul Maddocks previously of Parkway Telecom, Adam Butler from Easy Online Recruitment and Mike Scott from The Group / Red Lion Marchwiel.
It will be held at Coleg Cambria, Deeside Campus as part of an Entrepreneur Information Day on Friday 9 May from 10am until 2pm where there will be advice and support for business start-ups. Representatives from local education providers, Jobcentre Plus, Careers Wales, Business Wales and Flintshire County Council will also be on hand to provide job and career information alongside volunteering opportunities and career advice.
Councillor Derek Butler, Flintshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Economic Development said: “This event is just one of the ways in which Communities First is providing support and commitment, not only to the county’s 16 to 24 year olds, but to anyone who wants to start a business. Potential business owners are also encouraged to come along to Flintshire Enterprise Club, where there is guidance on offer.”
Councillor Aaron Shotton, Leader of Flintshire County Council said: “Dragons’ Den Cymru and the Flintshire Enterprise Club are instrumental in giving people opportunities to start or grow a business or social enterprise. It is part of the excellent work that is taking place through the established Flintshire Business Entrepreneurship Network from Flintshire County Council, helping local people in their search for suitable employment in today’s labour market. I would encourage anyone with an idea to come along to the event and take advantage of the support that is on offer.”
Askar Sheibani, the Welsh Government’s Business Entrepreneurship Champion and CEO of telecoms repair and support company Comtek, said: “Our Dragons’ Den events are having overwhelming success turning ideas into profitable businesses and we are pleased to announce another round, inviting all budding entrepreneurs to come and take part. We have already had some fantastic results from past participants; one of our entrepreneurs, who owns two businesses, was voted Young Entrepreneur of the Year at the Free2Network Business Awards 2013, and some of the businesses we’ve supported have even begun exporting to other countries. Having the community behind our local businesses is essential to their success and to improve the local economy, and this is becoming increasingly evident as Flintshire’s Dragons’ Den events and the enterprise club are rolled out in neighbouring towns.”
For more information on the above please contact Communities First 01244 846090 or email [email protected]
