Into the Dragons Den

Many of you will have seen the hit BBC series Dragons Den, well I visited the den for the first time about an hour ago and my heart has only just slowed to a normal rate!!!

Okay, so it wasn't Duncan Bannatyne, Peter Jones, Theo Paphitis and co and the amounts at stake were in 4 figures rather than 5 or 6 but let me tell you its nerve racking nonetheless!

The reason for this post is two fold, firstly to share my relief at getting out alive and secondly to explain why I was in there in the first place and how it can potentially benefit some of you.

Before we get started, for those of you who have no idea what I'm on about, take a look at Wikipedia to familiarise yourself with what dragons den is all about.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dragons'_Den

So why was I in a Dragon's Den situation? The reason for my trip to the den, and all the anxiety it caused, is a business development grant available to businesses operating in the Aylesbury Vale.

So what does that mean? Free money essentially! The grant is available for amounts up to £5000 for established businesses and £3000 for start up companies, and can be used for a variety of activities with the only stipulation is that you have to match fund the grant.

If you're not based in the Aylesbury area and are rapidly losing interest, then don't. Every region has a number of incentives for different types of company at any one time - its just a matter of knowing where to look.

I knew you'd ask so here is a link where you can search the grants available in your area:

http://www.grantsnet.co.uk/search.asp

Just enter your own company details and a list of the grants available will be displayed, I can't guarantee it will be an easy (and stress free!!!) process, but I can guarantee it is worth the effort!

So back to me, how did I fair? Well ultimately I won't know until sometime tomorrow but I have a very good feeling as you often do when you are stopped and asked whether you want to quit while you are ahead?!?!?!?

I'll give you an update at some point tomorrow to let you know what the outcome was, and what it means for Evolution, but in the meantime, if you want any help or advice identifying or applying for grants please get in touch and I can give you some very useful - and very personal - advice!

Until next time.



Edward