Six of the city’s social enterprises will face a nerve wracking test on Thursday when they come face to face with social entrepreneurs and angel investors to pitch for funding at a landmark ‘dragons’ den’ event.

The new initiative is a collaboration between Pavilion MP Caroline Lucas, Albion in the Community, Ideas Factory and CVSF which aims to build capacity for social enterprises in Brighton and Hove by giving them the chance to pitch to investors, attend expert-led workshops and network with key people in the sector.

The high profile event at the AMEX will kick off with speeches from the panel: Rod Schwarz, founder of ClearlySo, Geoff Raw, Strategic Director of Place, Brighton & Hove City Council, Justin Francis, founder of Responsible Travel (the first and the largest green travel company in the UK, established in Brighton), and Julia Chanteray, President of Brighton & Hove Chamber of Commerce.

After an ‘introduction to pitching session’, the six lucky enterprises selected by the Ideas Factory following the launch of the project in October will make their pitches in a ‘dragons’ den’ room of entrepreneurs and investors.

The six organisations hoping to win over the potential investors are:

Parentskools – bringing parenting education for free to those vulnerable families

Glass Act – making local bottle glass into worktops, floor surfaces and artisan goods

hiSbe – “how it Should be”, an ethical alternative to supermarkets

Brighton & Hove Energy Services – helps reduce consumers’ fuel bills, and invests in energy efficiency and renewables

Brighton Permaculture Trust’s Scrumping Project – collects unwanted fruit and turn it into products which people want, such as jam and marmalade

GNEWT Cargo – downsizing delivery services to reduce inner city road congestion

A networking reception will follow.

While investors are unlikely to pledge fixed sums of money on the day, the organisers hope negotiations might be pursued in the days following the event, and that the experience will offer valuable lessons.

Caroline Lucas, MP for Brighton Pavilion, said:

"I’m thrilled to be able to host the ‘dragons’ den’ event on Thursday and very much look forward to seeing these six exciting enterprises put forward their case for why they should receive funding.

"Social enterprises play a really crucial role in the local economy, and our city is lucky to have a wealth of outstanding organisations and individuals working for communities rather than just for profit.

"This initiative is about building capacity in the sector locally, and putting Brighton and Hove on the map as a key destination for social enterprise."

Jason Kluver, Managing Director of The Ideas Factory said:

"In the absence of bank lending, we have been raising funds for various start-ups around the world for the past three years, but we have never had the opportunity to contribute in such a meaningful way to our own city.

"This event will highlight some outstanding organisations and individuals, who contribute to Brighton and Hove on a daily basis; and give them the opportunity to secure much needed funding from social entrepreneurs, to enable them to continue their excellent work.”

Alan Sanders, joint managing director of Albion in the Community, said:

"The concept of social enterprise is one that sits proudly in line with the community minded work we carry out on a daily basis at Albion in the Community. We fully understand the importance of improving the economy through job creation.

"Now we have the opportunity to support individuals and groups with a socially driven focus through a Dragons Den style initiative in the city of Brighton and Hove.

"Through the expertise and status of Caroline, The Ideas Factory, CVSF and AITC, the city will entertain cutting edge concepts via the social enterprises that participate."

ENDS