EX-DRAGON star Theo Paphitis is launching a new investment scheme for small businesses dubbed ‘Dragon’s Den without having to go on the telly.’
The 63-year-old retail magnate multi-millionniare and TV star announced he’ll be putting together a panel of investors including Formula 1 driver Mark Blundell and former Dragon’s Den winner Rachel Watkyn who will be directly investing and working with small business owners at his annual Small Business Sunday conference in Birmingham on Friday.
Theo, who is chairman of stationary brand Ryman, lingerie company Boux Avenue and homeware brand Robert Dyas, started #SBS, a competition where he puts business owners in the spotlight each week on his Twitter account in 2010 to give people starting out a boost.
Learn how winning Theo Paphitis SBS competition can help raise the profile of your pet business
He said: “SBS Invest is something new, something we’ve never done before, and something people constantly ask me for advice and information on.
“I’ve persuaded some of the great, fantastic people who are friends of SBS, household names, captains of industry, very wealthy individuals, loads of money to but who aren’t just about all the money, they’re about what they can also give back.
“Myself and a panel of investors will be looking at and investing in your business. It’s a real game changing opportunity.
“If you’re taking money from somebody, you’ve got to give something back.
“It’s not a prize. It’s not a grant. It’s an exchange of a small part of your business. allow you to have a smaller percentage of a much bigger pie.
“We know finance is the life blood of business, it’s they oxygen of business, it’s key.”
Small businesses looking to take part will need to be a Small Business Sunday winner to qualify.
They will put together a five minute video pitch with details about what their business is and a detailed business plan about what the investment will mean for their business which they can submit between May 2nd and May 31st 2023.
Small Business Sunday runs each Sunday on Twitter and Instagram from 5pm to 7.30pm.
Entrepreneurs take part by sharing a post about their business and what being part of his community would mean to them and tag Theo’s account.
His SBS winners event is a conference taking place each year that helps connect small businesses with banks, investors and people who can support them with marketing and operations.
Over 850 attended this week and SBS invest was described as ‘like Dragons Den without having to go on the telly.’
Theo added: “I’m so looking forward to putting together some of these great people with some of our businesses.
“Not all finance and investment is for everyone so make sure you have a business that is scaleable and clearly show that your business is going to grow and create value.
“This is something I’m very excited about and I’m going to be one of the investors as well.”
What is SBS Invest?
- Theo Paphitis and a panel of unvestors will look at investing in SBS businesses.
- One of more SBS businesses could have an investment this year
- It’s a game changing opportunity for the growth of your business
- The 2023 panel will include friends of #SBS Formula 1 driver Mark Blundell and Rachel Watkyn from Tiny Box, a former Dragon’s Den winner.
- Applicatations open from May 2nd to May 31st.
Entrants need to share the following:
A filmed VT pitch on how your business can use the invesetment and a full business outline for the investment needed and plan of action.
Find out more on the Small Business Sunday website here: https://www.theopaphitissbs.com/
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