Social enterprises net dragon cash

SOCIAL entrepreneurs from across Argyll came together in Oban last Wednesday and Thursday as part of Argyll Enterprise Week and faced ‘dragons’ for an investment pot.

The event kicked off with a social enterprise film event hosted at Oban Phoenix Cinema - itself a social enterprise - with a selection of inspiring short films.

Thursday included a network session where more than 40 enterprises met up to share their experiences. Fraser Kelly from Social Enterprise Scotland and Laura Worku from the Scottish Government gave the national perspective on social enterprise. Workshops on finance, managing staff and leadership were well-attended and informative.

There followed eight brave pitches to a panel of five judges and in front of the audience for a ‘dragons’ pot of investment. The pitches were so strong that the initial pot of £7,500 was raised to more than £9,500 plus free consultancy support and training.

The Dragons Pot was sponsored by Inspiralba. Firstport sponsored an award for new social enterprise and Argyll and Bute Council also sponsored an award.

Among the winners, MACPool secured investment to help grow their income streams; Blarbuie Woodland Enterprise secured in- vestment for equipment to make bespoke wooden homeward and gifts; and Heart of Argyll Wildlife Organisation secured investment and business support to develop their enterprise ideas, providing opportunities in the natural environment.

Overall the event was a great success with people keen to see networking opportunities and events of this nature as a regular feature.