Delivered by The Kent Foundation, working in partnership with Dartford Borough Council, and funded through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, the Dartford Means Business project aims to create a vibrant ecosystem where experienced business mentors collaborate with aspiring and new entrepreneurs.
The programme is open to anyone in Dartford who has a business idea or has been trading for less than three years and wants to grow their company. Starting in August the project will also recruit experienced business owners, train them as mentors and then match them with aspiring and new businesses to showcase their creativity, talent and drive. If you are in business in Dartford, you will want to be involved.
The project includes a 1-2-1 mentorship program, a business showcase event, and culminates in a ‘Pitch Your Idea’ competition, giving participants the chance to win valuable funding for their business.
1-2-1 Mentoring
During the project Dartford based entrepreneurs in the pre-launch & start-up phases of business will be paired with a trained business mentor. Through three 1-2-1 mentoring sessions, the mentors will help the entrepreneurs develop their business ideas, to prepare for a business showcase day and pitching competition.
Business Showcase Day – 20th March 2025
The eight-month project will culminate in The Dartford Means Business – Let’s Get Together Business showcase on Thursday 20th March when up to 20 new and start-up businesses will network with established Kent businesses and present their ideas to a panel of judges, competing for a £2000 investment in their start up or business.
Showcase day is a wonderful opportunity for entrepreneurs to present their business ideas, products or services to the local business community and mentors. This is an excellent opportunity to get their new business known in the local community and to form useful connections in Dartford’s business network.
Pitch Your Idea Competition
The showcase will feature a “Dragon’s Den” style pitching competition where each participant will have the opportunity to present their business idea to a panel of judges and be in with the chance of winning valuable funding for their business. The winning pitch will receive £2,000, and £1,000 will be awarded to two runners up.
Dartford Council Leader Jeremy Kite said: “Dartford truly means business, and the Council wants to support the next generation of entrepreneurs to realise their dreams. We encourage our existing successful business owners to get on board and volunteer as a mentor, your skills and expertise can make all the difference.
Caroline Hallett, Director of Kent Foundation said: “We are delighted to be leading this exciting project demonstrating Dartford Means Business, bringing existing businesses in Dartford together, training mentors to help support the next generation of business owners and awarding a prize fund of £4,000 for programme participants.
For more information about the ‘Dartford Means Business’ project and how to participate, please visit https://kentfoundation.org/dartford-means-business/ or contact hello@kentfoundation.org