The ‘Soup Dragon’ is back for 2023!
Applications are now open for the first Soup Dragon funding event of 2023, which will be held in May.
As part of our support to local community projects, we will be having another visit from our Soup Dragon as a way to access funding from our Community Investment Fund.
The Soup Dragon’s Den is aimed at local community groups who need a small amount of funding to help them get going, or to grow the project to reach more people.
The application process has been kept simple, so no reason not to apply!
Applications are open from 13 March to 23 April 2023. The event will be live in the community where we will be serving soup followed by a live pitching event. Last year’s events proved very popular. This year’s event will take place on 18 May 2023 at 6pm.
Apply online now
Alternatively, you can apply via an application form. Applicants simply need to fill in the application form and email it to the Progress Involvement Team or post it to Sumner House, 21 King Street, Leyland, Lancashire, PR25 2LW.
All applications received will be reviewed by the Community Investment Fund panel and six will be shortlisted to present their pitch at the next Soup Dragon’s Den event.
The Soup Dragon’s Den is an open invitation for local residents, community members and supporters of each project to attend.
About the Soup Dragon's Den
We are planning for the Soup Dragon Event to be held in the community with soup, pudding, networking and ‘live’ pitching. If you would like to attend you can just turn up on the night, for more information about the event email community@progressgroup.org.uk
During the event, the applicants will present their pitch; it's similar to the TV show Dragon’s Den (but much friendlier), and everyone attending gets to vote for the winner - the community decides!
Once all the pitches have taken place, everyone attending the event will be asked to vote, ranking each of the six pitches in their order of preference. The votes will be counted and the winner announced at the end of the evening.
The winning applicant will receive up to £1,000. The remaining five applicants will receive half of the funding they requested, or £200 (whichever is the lowest amount).
Soup Dragon's Den – the important stuff!
Deadline for applications is 11.59pm Sunday, 23 April 2023
The event will take place on Thursday, 18 May 2023 at 6pm.
The applicants selected to pitch at the event will be informed by Friday, 12 May 2023. Click here to access the guidance notes for applications which can be found at the bottom of the application form.
Contact us
If you have any queries about the Soup Dragon's Den application or event or would like more information please contact the Progress Involvement Team by emailing the Progress Involvement Team at community@progressgroup.org.uk or calling us on 0333 320 4555.