Entrepreneur academy

The following section outlines the key eligibility criteria for participation in the Entrepreneur Academy:

Age

You will need to be age 18 or over.

Address

While we are happy to accept applications from individuals or businesses based outside* of the borough, if the programme is over-subscribed, we will give priority to Reigate & Banstead residents and businesses.

*Please note that, to be eligible to take part in the Dragons’ Den element of the programme, you will need to be either a resident of the borough or have a business registered in the borough.

Right to start a business in the UK

You must have the right to start a business in the UK (i.e. you are a British Citizen or have settled status such as Indefinite Leave to Remain and/or a visa which allows you to be self-employed or to start a business in the UK.

Application

You will be required to submit a short application form outlining the following:

• A brief outline of your business or business idea
• What stage are you at with your business (e.g. just an idea / have developed a product or service and are pre-launch / have already launched but still at early stage)
• Why you would like to take part in the Entrepreneur Academy

We are happy for entrepreneurs to return to the Entrepreneur Academy for a second time if they can demonstrate that they have a new product or service.

Dragons’ Den / prize allocation

Presenting your business idea in the Dragons’ Den is optional.  Participation is subject to meeting the eligibility criteria relating to points 1, 2 and 3 above.  The expert panel (‘Dragons’) are an independent panel of skilled local businesspeople who will decide how the prize funding is allocated.  The prize fund may be allocated to just one winner or, in the case of there being a split decision (i.e. more than one winner), the total funding pot of £5,000 will be divided accordingly.  The decision of the Dragons is final.

Please note, if you are successful and awarded the prize grant, you may be asked to prove details of the spend on your business.  If you cannot provide this information, this may result in the funds being claimed back.

Registration with East Surrey College

Successful applicants to the Entrepreneur Academy programme will be required to register for free with East Surrey College.  The majority of the sessions will be held at East Surrey College and participants will benefit from access to College learning resources for the duration of the programme.

Privacy Policy 

Your name, business name, address, email and contact number will be stored on a secure database when you apply for the Entrepreneur Academy.  If your application is unsuccessful, we will destroy your application form, but your name and business name will remain on the database.  If your application is successful, we will securely store your application form for a period of up to three years after which time it will be destroyed but your name and business name will remain on our database.  Paperwork relating to any grant funding awarded may be held for longer and up to a maximum period of seven years.

We will seek your consent (which you may withdraw at any stage) to take photographs during the programme and to make reference to your business for the purposes of promoting the Entrepreneur Academy through social media and other marketing activity.  We will also record the Dragons’ Den presentations but purely for the purposes of participants refining their presentation skills. These will not be circulated more widely and you can choose not to be recorded. All recordings will be deleted within 6 months of the Dragons’ Den.

We may also contact you after the Entrepreneur Academy for the purposes of gaining feedback on the programme.

We promise to keep your details safe and secure and not to share them with any other parties. For further information please view our Privacy Policy webpage.