It’s the 12th one! The Reconomy Project in Totnes has been running the Local Entrepreneur Forum (LEF) since 2012. It's an amazing community gathering aimed at bringing into being a resilient, ecological, just, convivial local economy.
To date, 48 projects have pitched! Over 300 people have played the role of ‘community dragon’ and have made over 1200 ‘investments’.
Every year, we bring the community together – entrepreneurs, investors, and other change makers together to learn from each other, form new relationships, and begin enterprising collaborations. Social, sustainable, regenerative, resilient, innovative – new enterprises creating meaningful livelihoods and contributing to the community in positive ways. This is the beating heart of what we call ‘community supported entrepreneurism’.
Everyone has a stake in their local economy and everyone can be an investor, too. Entrepreneurs need all kinds of support. Financial capital is important, but so are other forms of support, from expert mentoring to child care. Entrepreneurs supported by the community do better. The economy does better, too. It’s part of what make this place a nice place to live and raise a family.
Join us on May 16th at The Royal Seven Stars Hotel ballroom, 6-9.30pm, and participate in this annual gathering full of solidarity, reciprocity, and positive change. We’ll have lots of opportunity for new entrepreneurs – and old – to connect, build relationships with peers, supporters and investors. And then four entrepreneurs will pitch to the Community of Dragons. If you're interested in pitching, please email expressions of interest to reconomycentre@gmail.com by Friday April 5th, 12pm. Visit the LEF page of the Reconomy Project's website for more details about how to pitch.
If you'd like to help support the LEF, which is run entorely by volunteers and the geneorisity of our community, you can donate here.
For more positive news, read all about what our groups and projects have been doing. To stay up to date with everything that's going on in the Totnes Transition Movement, sign up to our regular newsletter.