Idea for business? Pitch it to the Furness dragons

Last updated 15:54, Friday, 31 October 2008

REAL DRAGONS: TV’s Peter Jones, Doug Richard, Rachel Elnaugh, Duncan Bannatyne and Theo Paphitis from Dragon’s Den

DRAGONS are coming to Barrow next month – and they mean business.
But rather than breathing fire these dragons will be offering support to local entrepreneurs with a Dragon’s Den-style competition.
A number of Furness business leaders will judge the creative pitches of six shortlisted local business entrepreneurs.
The Business Start Up scheme in Cumbria and Barrow radio station Abbey FM are spearheading the competition as part of Enterprise Week 2008, which runs from November 17 to 23.
Mike Stuart, senior business advisor for Business Start Up in Cumbria, said: “It’s a national celebration of enterprise, where thousands of activities are run by organisations across the UK to encourage people to unlock their enterprising talent, which is very much what this Dragon’s Den-style competition is designed to do.
“The competition is open to anyone in the Barrow area who has a business idea that requires funding and support.
“In addition, entries can also come from new businesses that have been established for more than three months and less than two years.”
There is a cash prize of £1,000 for the winner, which will be used for equipment, services and training.
In addition, a further £800 will be donated by Abbey FM for marketing support and airtime advertising.
Business Start Up is a new project operated by the A4e company on behalf of the Northwest Regional Development Agency.
Its task is to encourage new firms to start up within under-represented groups and areas in the North West.
To get an application form from A4e telephone 01946 816711 or download from the Abbey FM website www.abbeyfm.com
The closing date for applications is Friday November 7, with the final being held in Barrow on Thursday November 20.
For access to Business Start up or more information on business support in the North West region, call Business Link Northwest on 0845 00 66 888 or visit www.businesslink.gov.uk/northwest