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Dragons’ Den Cymru
Published: 01/05/2014
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 beverly.moseley@flintshire.gov.uk
Editors Note
The Business Entrepreneurship Network programme from Flintshire County Council
involves support from Flintshire’s successful business entrepreneurs;
membership of the Flintshire Enterprise Club; a full training programme funded
through the Wales Business Start Up programme; additional support from
Flintshire’s Dragons and Dynamo mentors and additional, integrated Communities
First and other partner activities.