Participants from cohort 2 and 3 of unique programme, The Circle Academy, pitched their businesses, some for the first time, at a celebratory event last Friday. The Circle Academy is a practical educational training programme for individuals interested in running or working in organisations that have a positive social impact. This pitch was the culmination of 12-weeks intensive learning on key elements of social entrepreneurship including business planning, marketing and governance.
Entrepreneurs and third sector leaders from across Scotland who participated in the two 2020 cohorts put their pitching skills into practice, and demonstrated their learning from the programme in a pitch which detailed their business and financial plan, vision and mission, and social impact.
After deliberation from the panel, Daniel Flannigan, a cohort 3 participant and student from Montrose Academy, was awarded £225 towards his business idea, ‘RTGT’, or ‘Remember The Good Times’, a mens casual clothing line which will raise funds to support men’s mental health. The successful pitch from Cohort 2 was that of Linda Sterry from Funeral Link, who will use the funds awarded to support 4 families experiencing funeral poverty in Dundee to access confidential support with bereavement and reducing funeral costs.
The event was attended by programme participants, a panel of judges from The Circle team, and an audience of previous academy attendees and members of The Circle staff and Board of Directors. The event, which was hosted online, was held on Friday 4th December and concluded with the awarding of certificates of recognition for the successful participants. Candidates will now have the chance to submit work to attain an SVQ: ‘The Circle Academy Award in Social Entrepreneurship’.
The event marked the final week of The Circle Academy Cohort 3, and the first ever fully digital programme delivery.
Alvina Menzies, The Circle’s Academy Manager, shared this during the event,
“It is so inspiring and motivating to see how many people, all 24 entrepreneurs, have gone through this programme in just a year. I think it’s something absolutely phenomenal that The Circle Academy has started here and I’m so proud to be a part of the journey and watch each individual’s progress in their entrepreneurial journey.”
And Kirsty Thomson, CEO of The Circle said,
“Well done to each and every one of the individuals that pitched. The pitches were fantastic and really blew me away. The level that everyone has developed since the beginning of the programme earlier this year. And well done to Daniel and Linda for winning the prize pots.”
The Circle Academy’s full programme will be open to a new cohort of individuals in 2021. There are also two flexible learning packages of the programme available for those looking for an introduction to social entrepreneurship. Anyone interested in The Circle Academy can find out more by contacting academy@thecircledundee.org.uk or by visiting The Circle’s website https://thecircledundee.org.uk/the-circle-academy/
The Circle
The Circle is an award winning 'More Than Profit' organisation that supports businesses to make a difference to communities by providing affordable consultancy, training and workspaces, within an inclusive and friendly community.
