The Spelthorne Business Plan Competition 2026 is now complete, marking another inspiring year for local entrepreneurship in our borough. While the Dragons’ Den-style final showcased outstanding business ideas and remarkable talent, the real story lies in the community of people who made it possible.
This competition is not delivered in isolation. It is built through collaboration, generosity of time, and a shared belief that when local businesses support one another, the whole community benefits. The success of this year’s programme is a reflection of that collective effort.
A true partnership of business and community
The Spelthorne Business Plan Competition brings together businesses, organisations, mentors, educators and volunteers who each contribute something different, but equally important.
From corporate partners to local entrepreneurs, everyone involved plays a role in helping participants develop confidence, sharpen their ideas, and take meaningful steps towards building a business.
It is this shared commitment that transforms the competition from a simple pitch event into a genuine development journey for aspiring entrepreneurs.
Our judges
We are incredibly grateful to our judging panel, who brought expertise, insight and time to support the final stage of the competition:
- James Butler – dnata
- Joe Roberts-Walker – Mejuicer
- Dan Burton – Shepperton Studios
- Herlinde Mannaerts-Drew – bp
- Renee Canter – Business Surrey
Each judge contributed thoughtful feedback, commercial experience and encouragement, helping ensure every finalist received meaningful and constructive insight into their business idea.
Mentors and training support
The mentoring programme is at the heart of the competition experience, and we are deeply grateful to those who supported finalists in developing both their ideas and their confidence.
- Xav Anderson – Pitch and presentation skills training
- Tracey Carter – Pitch and presentation skills training and overall programme support
- Richard Meddleton – Business plan development and structure
Their guidance helped finalists turn early-stage ideas into structured, confident and well-presented business proposals.
Behind the scenes: the wider support team
A competition of this scale relies on a wide network of support behind the scenes.
Jessica Martin played a key role in developing a clear and structured judging framework, ensuring fairness and consistency throughout the process.
Oliver Addams, a previous finalist, supported the competition by filming and producing our showreels, capturing the energy and journey of the programme beautifully.
Jeev Sahoo and the Step8Up team provided outstanding marketing and design support, incorporating learners into the process who created the official show guide as part of their skills development journey.
Karen Porter was the operational glue throughout the entire event, holding everything together behind the scenes and ensuring that every detail came together seamlessly on the day.
This blend of professional expertise, volunteer commitment and learner involvement reflects exactly what the competition is about: real-world experience, skills development and opportunity.
A shared commitment to local enterprise
What makes this competition so special is not just the finalists or the final evening, but the way the business community comes together to make it happen.
Every judge, mentor, sponsor and volunteer plays a role in shaping the experience for participants. The result is more than a competition — it is a development journey supported by people who genuinely care about helping others succeed.
Our sponsors and partners
We are extremely grateful to our sponsors and partners whose continued support makes this programme possible, including:
bp, Shepperton Studios, dnata, Mejuicer, the Federation of Small Businesses, Business Surrey, and Spelthorne Borough Council, alongside many other local organisations and supporters.
Their involvement is not simply financial — it is active participation in building a stronger, more connected local economy.
Looking ahead
The Spelthorne Business Forum is committed to continuing this work and strengthening the business community across Spelthorne and the wider Surrey area in line with Local Government Reorganisation across Surrey. By bringing businesses together in this way, we aim to create an environment where collaboration is natural, support is accessible, and ambition is encouraged.
Our goal is simple: to help make this region a thriving, resilient small business economy where ideas are supported, businesses grow, and people feel confident to take the next step.
To everyone who contributed to this year’s competition — thank you. This programme exists because of you.
Get involved
As we begin planning for the Spelthorne Business Plan Competition 2027, we are looking to grow our network of businesses, mentors, educators and supporters who share our passion for developing the next generation of entrepreneurs.
There are many ways you can get involved:
- Become a sponsor and help fund the competition while raising your organisation’s profile within the local business community.
- Volunteer as a mentor, sharing your knowledge and experience to help aspiring entrepreneurs develop their ideas and build successful businesses.
- Join our judging panel and use your commercial expertise to support and encourage future finalists.
- Work with us as an education provider, inspiring students to explore entrepreneurship and develop innovative business ideas.
- Take part as a competitor if you have a business idea or are in the early stages of starting a business.
- Support the Spelthorne Business Forum by becoming part of our growing business community and helping us continue to create opportunities for businesses across Spelthorne and Surrey.
Whether you can offer your expertise, sponsorship, time or simply your enthusiasm, we would love to hear from you.
If you would like to get involved, please complete our Expression of Interest and Feedback Form using the link below. A member of the SBF team will then be in touch to discuss how you can become part of this exciting programme.
Together, we can continue to build a stronger, more connected business community and inspire even more entrepreneurs to turn great ideas into thriving businesses.
To everyone who contributed to this year’s competition—thank you. This programme exists because of you, and we look forward to welcoming even more people on the journey towards the 2027 Spelthorne Business Plan Competition.