Herald - Issue 414

v THE HERALD - Your Community Magazine v 28th October 2021 • The HERALD • Page 57 ASK A PROFESSIONAL HAVE YOU GOT A PROJECT TO PITCH TO THE ‘SOUP DRAGONS’? ‘Soup Dragons’ is a fun new way to support community projects and local business start-ups. Do you have an idea for a community project that needs a little money? It can be tidying up an unloved area and putting in attractive plants, it could be starting a lunch club, or purchasing the equipment needed to start a new club or group, anything goes. Or, have you wanted to start up a small business and need some money for advertising, or a place to sell, or to pay for the rst samples, a prototype of your invention. Or have you recently started a small business that needs a boost? Then ‘Soup Dragons’ is for you! 1) Complete the application form (link below) your application will be assessed and if it meets the criteria you will be invited to present at ‘Soup Dragons’ 2) Prepare a 4-minute presentation which must include: • An outline of the project • How you plan to use the money • Costings of your project • What you aim to achieve with your project You cannot use PowerPoint presentations but you can bring props and samples, plans or pictures. 3) A er your 4-minute presentation, the audience can ask you 4 questions so you need to be prepared for whatever they may ask you! 4) e ‘Dragons’ and you pause for a while to enjoy a bowl of soup and a roll and the chance to discuss among themselves the presentations they have seen. 5) e ‘Dragons’ vote for which of the presentations they think was the best and most deserving. 6) If you are the winner you win the Dragons Prize Pot which is made up of the total of the audience numbers x £5 (of the £6 ticket price). If the event is full this should be around £400. If appropriate you will also get a free pitch on the Tuesday market to help you sell or promote your project (this can be 4 consecutive weeks or once per month for 4 months). 7) You agree to come back in 4 months’ time and give an update on your project, whether it’s completed or how the cash helped it progress. Have you ever wanted to be a ‘Dragon’ in Dragons Den? If so, this is your chance whist supporting community projects and business start-ups. is is your moment; your £6 ticket gets you a soup and a vote! You will listen to four groups give a four minute pitch. e dragons can then ask questions. Following this, you get time for a delicious bowl of homemade soup and to discuss the pitches with your fellow ‘Dragons’. Your ticket becomes your ballot paper to vote for your favourite project. To apply to pitch your idea visit: www. hytheanddibden.gov.uk/News_and_ Information_24721.aspx Tickets to be a ‘dragon’ are on a first come first served basis and can be purchased from The Herald office in Hythe, priced at £6 each (cash only please). NEW FOREST BUSINESS SUPPORT HOUR New Forest Business Partnership (NFBP) offer a free weekly Business Support Hour each Wednesday at 3pm. Each week will focus on a specific topic from a local business expert. An important element of these sessions is the interaction between attending businesses. Whilst the rst half hour is focused on the chosen topic, the second half will allow businesses to share ideas, opportunities or issues. You can sign up to attend this support hour via the NFBP website: www. n p.org.uk/events