Business

Competition for young entrepreneurs to win free Chamber of Commerce membership

Ignite Peterborough is offering entrepreneurs the opportunity to compete for a year’s free membership to the Cambridgeshire Chambers of Commerce by taking part in a Dragon’s Den style pitching event to a panel of experienced business leaders

Launched in June 2014, Ignite Peterborough is a programme designed to provide young entrepreneurs with mentoring, workshop training, funding links and free office space. It is delivered by Opportunity Peterborough, the city’s economic development company, in partnership with Peterborough Regional College.

The event is open to young business owners across the city and involves delivering a 5-10 minute pitch to a panel of experienced business leaders. The year-long membership is a great opportunity for entrepreneurs to expand their local business networks through access to over 2000 businesses at a range of events.

The opportunity has arisen through a positive partnership between Opportunity Peterborough’s Ignite programme and the Cambridgeshire Chamber which has seen several networking sessions being delivered at Ignite’s start-up hub which is based in the Eco Innovation Centre in Peterborough.

John Bridge OBE, Chief Executive of Cambridgeshire Chambers of Commerce, said, ‘We are delighted to be working with Ignite to provide this essential link between established business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs. Mentoring plays a valuable role in providing young people with insight and knowledge that will hopefully shape their success in the future, and lasting links with existing businesses that are prepared to provide that support are essential.

‘We believe the event will be an invaluable experience for those taking part and we hope that the knowledge they gain from our panel of established entrepreneurs will be of great benefit going forward.’

Steve Bowyer, acting chief executive at Opportunity Peterborough, said, ‘Opportunity Peterborough is proud to be delivering the Ignite programme and see this pitching event as a great way for young people to showcase their business acumen. These new businesses are the future of the city’s economy and the support available to them will help them grow and develop within Peterborough.’

The pitching event is open to all local entrepreneurs under the age of 35 and will take place on 21 November at the Peterborough Regional College.

For further information and to get involved please email Alice Johnson at

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