Celebrating its 10th anniversary, the Local Entrepreneur Forum on May 19th makes a welcome return to its springtime roots in the calendar of Totnes community events. It’s been the catalyst for many of our favourite social enterprises in Totnes and district, securing the success of these businesses and nurturing the people and projects they support.
Organiser, Jay Tompt, a lecturer at Schumacher college on the MA in Regenerative Economics says:
"Everyone has a stake in their local economy and everyone can be an investor, too. Entrepreneurs need all kinds of support. Financial capital is important, but so are other forms of support, from expert mentoring to child care. Entrepreneurs supported by the community do better. The economy does better, too. It’s part of what makes this place a nice place to live and raise a family."
A handful of businesses will pitch their projects to a ‘community of dragons’. Everyone is welcome to attend, to pledge their support and to be inspired to come back and be among the line-up of those pitching next year. This inspirational and practical event would not be possible without the investors – members of the community, donating their time, money, knowledge and skills. Together, they are the foundations for helping our communities to thrive.
This local ‘dragon’s den’ with a difference forms part of a blueprint for citizen-led economic transition in Totnes. It’s part of the solution to making our communities more resilient in the face of economic collapse and the rising cost of living crisis.
Co-founder of Transition Town Totnes, Rob Hopkins calls it “one of the top ten innovations coming out of the Transition Movement that could begin to turn the economic crisis around”.
It’s apt therefore, that this year’s event is taking place at New Lion Brewery, the micro-brewery that Rob himself pitched at the very first Local Entrepreneur Forum in 2012. The circular economy has come full circle.
Join us on May 19th at New Lion Brewery for the 10th Local Entrepreneur Forum and Community of Dragons. Find out more here: bit.ly/LEF-2022
Local Entrepreneur Forum
At New Lion Brewery, Dartington
Thursday 3pm – 8pm
May 19th, 2022
Transition Town Totnes 