RiDO Rotherham Investment & Development Office

Rotherham Enterprise Board and UK Steel Enterprise are offering Rotherham businesses the opportunity to prove their worth to a panel of local dragons.

The, inspired by the BBC show of the same name, will offer local businesses a unique opportunity to further develop their already established business.

Dare you face the dragons? If your business is based within Rotherham, if you’ve been trading for three years or less and you feel your business has excellent growth potential then you could be exactly what the Enterprise Board is looking for. A select number of businesses will be chosen to enter the den on June 17 2010, where they will pitch their business expansion dreams to a panel of successful Rotherham based entrepreneurs.

“And with a prize of £1,500 up for grabs for the best pitch, your dreams could soon be a reality!” said Laura Brown, the Board’s enterprise events co-ordinator. “We’re looking for people who are ready to take the next step in developing their business. If you feel your business would benefit from a cash injection or some advice and support from the successful local entrepreneurs who will make up our panel than this event will prove invaluable.”

UK Steel Enterprise’s regional manager, Keith Williams, said: “We are delighted to support Rotherham Enterprise Board and the Dragons’ Den-type Events. There is a wide range of business support available in Rotherham. The Enterprise Board events are designed to help early stage and smaller businesses, whilst loan and equity finance of up to £750,000 is available from our own investment fund for more established businesses in Rotherham and throughout South Yorkshire.”

Anyone who has the confidence to enter the den should contact Laura Brown, enterprise events co-ordinator, at Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council, for an informal discussion and to find out more about the application process – just ring her on 01709 823817 or email laura.brown@rotherham.gov.uk.