Winchester entrepreneurs showcased their ideas in a lively competition, aiming for valuable business support and recognition from local judges
Winchester: On January 17, eight local business owners took the stage for a fun, Dragons’ Den-style event. It was all part of the Business Growth Factory, a program by The IncuHive Group and Winchester City Council.
Each entrepreneur pitched their ideas to a panel of judges, hoping to win a free package of business support. It was a great chance to show off their creativity!
The big winner was Yiran Xie from Ideal Find Ltd, who impressed everyone with her pitch for a biodegradable rain poncho. Stephanie Swann snagged the runner-up spot with her Garden Festival idea.
The judging panel included some notable local figures, like Steve Northam from The IncuHive Group and Cllr Lucille Thompson. They were all there to support the entrepreneurs and see what they had to offer.
George Scott-Welsh, the CEO of IncuHive, shared how inspiring it was to witness the passion and innovation from the participants. He emphasized the program’s role in helping local entrepreneurs grow their businesses.
Cllr Thompson echoed those sentiments, saying it was fantastic to hear the pitches and see the progress made by local businesses. The enthusiasm was truly inspiring!
Other participants included Caroline Horne from The Breaker Collective Ltd and Filiz Taylan Yuzak from Vibrant Content. They all brought unique ideas to the table.
The Business Growth Factory aims to support small to medium-sized businesses in Winchester. It offers workshops and mentoring to help entrepreneurs succeed.
Thanks to funding from the UK Government, this valuable program was offered free of charge to local businesses, making it accessible for everyone.
