Our Kick Start grants programme has now closed! Thank you to all the Northamptonshire new businesses who have applied. The BIPC team are busy shortlisting the eligible applications and shortlisted applicants will be notified by the end of August.
The shortlisted applicants will then face our Dragons' Den.
Applicants will pitch their business to a group of carefully selected local business experts, also known as The Dragons! Presentations will be taking place on 15 and 16 September.
All of the dragons have been selected for their in-depth experience and knowledge in working with and supporting business start-ups and small businesses.
Introducing our first dragon
We're delighted to introduce you to our first dragon Sally Wood, Consultant Finance Director, Sally Wood Consultancy Limited.
Sally is passionate about working with fast-moving, ambitious businesses. After spending several years as Finance Director at HMV she established Sally Wood Consultancy Limited in 2019 to provide part-time finance director and consultancy services to businesses undergoing transformational change, whether that’s during start-up, scale-up, restructuring or preparing to be investment-ready.
Sally also acts as a Board Advisor and Non-Executive Director to support senior management teams with challenging and interesting projects and has a number of voluntary roles in the not-for-profit sector, including working with local charities and encouraging links between employers and education through her role as an Enterprise Advisor.
In 2021, Sally was appointed as Area Leader for the Federation of Small Businesses for Leicestershire, Northamptonshire and Rutland, where she acts as a spokesperson for small business owners, making sure their voice is heard and their interests represented with policymakers and stakeholders.
Why did you agree to be a Dragon?
"I'm enthusiastic about supporting local businesses, including start-ups, so the opportunity to be a Dragon really resonated with me! The winners' package will be incredibly valuable to the successful entrants - not just that cash grant, but the support offered from the BIPC team along with free FSB membership (I get so much use out of my own membership!)."
What will you be looking for?
"Business owners who can passionately articulate their business idea, supported by a well-constructed business plan and a good understanding of their market and customers. It goes without saying that I'll be looking for a robust and well-thought-through financial forecast!"
Find out more about our financed-focused Dragon by visiting the Sally Wood Consultancy Limited Website
Follow Sally on LinkedIn here
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