Local MP, Caroline Dinenage is hosting a free business support exhibition and networking event in partnership with the Solent LEP and Gosport Borough Council.
The Gosport Enterprise Fair, which concludes Gosport Enterprise Week, will take place on Friday 16 November 2018, at the Jervis Gallery, St Vincent College. The event will provide practical guidance and funding advice to local businesses and aspiring entrepreneurs. A 'Starting and Growing a Business' Q&A session, chaired by Caroline Dinenage, will provide audience members with the opportunity to ask successful local entrepreneurs about their professional journeys and experiences.
An exciting line-up of speakers will talk about various stages of their business owning journey and share their stories and tips for success for starting and growing a business. Confirmed speakers include:
Neil Hallsworth who founded Explorer Coffees Ltd in 2017 following 10 years in the Royal Army Medical Corps.Mike Shepherd who started Marine Advertising Agency in 2008 as well as the Performance Sailing Shop in 2016 and has sailed around the world.Freya Derrick who set up Hopscotch Day Nurseries in 2005, with her first nursery in Gosport and will be opening her fifth next year, she has also run the Marathon des Sables.Caroline Dinenage, Entrepreneur & Member of Parliament for Gosport, Stubbington, Lee-on-the-Solent & Hill Head
Following on from the speeches and Q&A session, there will be opportunities for networking with representatives from key business support organisations, including Solent Growth Hub, StartUp Disruptors and Enterprise First.
Commenting, Caroline said:
'Following the success of the last two Enterprise Fairs, I'm really excited to be hosting the event again. Small businesses are the lifeblood of our economy, and while taking the first step towards starting your own business can be daunting, the rewards of being your own boss and turning a passion into a career are more than worth the hard work. By bringing businesses, aspiring entrepreneurs and business support organisations together, the Enterprise Fair will help to unlock and develop the wealth of business talent we have locally.'
The event will commence at 1:30pm. If you would like to attend, please sign up here.
You can read more about the range of activities taking place across Gosport as part of Enterprise Week, here.