Dartford Means Business
About the Project
Dartford Means Business is a project launched by The Kent Foundation in partnership with Dartford District Council. Running from October 2025 to March 2026, the project aims to create a vibrant ecosystem that will empower participants to turn their business ideas into thriving ventures. The project includes a 1-2-1 mentorship program, business showcase event, and culminates in a ‘Pitch Your Idea’ competition, giving participants the chance to win valuable funding for their business.
PROJECT OVERVIEW
Recruitment
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The project will recruit 10 business people to participate in the project. They must either live or work in Dartford, and be in the pre-launch or start-up phase of their business (0-3 years).
The project will also recruit 10 business professionals to mentor the participants.
The Kent Foundation will deliver a 1 day intensive training day for all mentors to ensure they are fully equipped to support the entrepreneurs.
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1-2-1 Mentoring
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Participants will be carefully paired with a trained business mentor based on their business interests, goals and industry.
They will commit to three 1-2-1 mentoring sessions to help participants develop their business idea and prepare for the Business Showcase Day and Pitch Your Idea Competition
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Business Showcase Day
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On March 26th 2026, there will be a Business Showcase Day, where each participant will have a stand so that they can share their business idea, products or services to an audience of fellow entrepreneurs, mentors and the local business community.
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Pitch Your Idea Competition
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The grand finale of the showcase day is a pitching competition, where each participant will get the chance to present their business idea to a panel of judges to be in with the chance of winning £2,000 for their business.
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The runner up will also receive £1,000 of valuable funding.
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All participants will get £50 contribution towards their expenses for preparing their exhibition table/information, exposure, opportunity to network and exhibit for free and written feedback on their idea from the day.
"Thank you all for making the Dartford Means Business event possible - I believe it was a great experience for all businesses chosen to take part. Having Mike assigned as a mentor helped me discover key information about my business pitch. It was beneficial through this process to have another set of eyes give me professional feedback, which, in the start-up years of business, young entrepreneurs do not realise how valuable this can be! Thanks once again for enabling me to be part of this opportunity!"
Emma Youell
Last Years Winner
APPLICATIONS ARE NOW CLOSED!
We have filled all places for Dartford Means Business 2026 but would still like to invite your to attend the business showcase day.