Suffolk business owners have clubbed together to launch a county version of hit TV series Dragon's Den.
Suffolk Angels aims to aspire entrepreneurs who get to pitch their business idea to a panel of experts in a video podcast series.
The four "angels" are successful entrepreneurs Jenna Ackerley, Ian White, Phil Elder and Jonny Newton. They have a total of more 100 years of business experience between them.
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Professional videographers will film aspiring entrepreneurs and business people at a studio hosted by Phil Elder at St Clare House in Princes Street, Ipswich, and it will be published on YouTube.
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Applicants can be students, people without business experience, or existing businesses looking for help to grow.
It will be free to enter, and no one is getting paid, explained Jenna.
"If the pilot in February goes well and there are plenty of applicants, then we will likely turn it into a series, which will run alongside a planned business incubator/co-working space and investment club operating from St Clare House," she added.
Any one of the four angels or their network - all established business founders, owners and investors in the county who are keen to support start-ups - might choose either to invest in the business or to mentor it or both.
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The first episode will be filmed on February 24, and applications are now open at https://suffolkangels.com.
They are looking for:
- Students and young people with a good idea, but without the knowledge or experience to get started
- Existing small business owners who wish to gain financial or advisory support to take it to the next level
- Well established businesses with grand growth plans
- Anyone from any background with a bright idea to share
Others who don't wish to appear on the podcast but want to access the investor group and have their proposal considered privately can also make contact.
Along with the four angels confirmed for the podcast panel, a larger group of investors and advisers within their networks is keen to connect with aspiring entrepreneurs.
The podcast and investor club will be based on the tenth floor of St Clare House - with views over the town and the Orwell Bridge - at the East Anglian Business Club.
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The space is home to a new business incubator and co-working space started by Phil, who is chief executive of East Anglian Business Club and Investment Group.
The property investor, international speaker and business strategist says he wants to foster business growth in the region.
He was already looking at ways to link up successful business people with aspiring entrepreneurs when the Suffolk Angels idea took shape.
"We have all been fortunate in what we have done. We are here in Suffolk and we want to help businesses in Suffolk," he said.
Ian White is chairman of wealth management and employee benefits business Beckett Investment Management Group in Bury St Edmunds.
He also chairs mental health charity Suffolk Mind and advises and invests in growing regional businesses.
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"This year I have been getting heavily involved in other businesses anyway doing exactly what Suffolk Angels plan do to. I'm involved in five businesses all in various stages of growth," he said.
"There is so much talent and potential in Suffolk and I can’t wait to see where this series takes us."
Jonny Newton is MD and owner of Leiston-based classic car trim and interiors manufacturing firm Newton Commercial, as well being a regular speaker at college and university events.
“I meet a lot of people with incredible passion and ideas, lacking the direction of where to take them," he explained.
Running a business can be quite lonely, he said, and mentoring has been key to him and to the others in the past.
Jenna Ackerley is owner and founder of outdoor events business Events Under Canvas in Capel St Mary, near Ipswich. She hopes that the Suffolk Angels project will demystify the process of getting a business off the ground.
“I am so excited to be part of this new series, " she said.
"Accessing support and investment can be really tough when starting out in business, with no clue where to go for credible help."
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