Local entrepreneurs from across Derry and Strabane took on the judges last week to battle it out Dragon’s Den style for a place in the RE:IMAGINE Pop Up Shop initiative, and the chance to showcase their brands in a prime retail location.The scheme is organised by Derry City and Strabane District Council, working in conjunction with The Fashion & Textile Design Centre (FTDC) in Derry and BID in Strabane. Budding entrepreneurs had the opportunity to apply to pitch their concepts to a special panel, and the winners will be announced this week. The successful candidates will secure one of six places to trade their merchandise in two top retail locations in Derry’s Foyleside and the Pagoda, Strabane until June. The wider package of support also includes bespoke mentoring, promotional marketing campaigns and technical assistance aimed at assisting up and coming talent as they establish their brand and progress to the next stage on their business journey.The initiative is part of the new Start Up Accelerator Programme being delivered by Council, Enterprise NW and Strabane Enterprise Agency, who have secured £240,000 to assist individuals who have participated in the Go For It Programme, to take their business ideas further and develop their business skills.The wider package of support also includes bespoke mentoring, promotional marketing campaigns and technical assistance.
