Although no cash offers will actually be made, four entrepreneurs/start-ups will get the opportunity to pitch their business ideas for feedback, recommendations – and possible referrals – to a panel of local business experts, who will reply using the key words "If I were an angel investor…"

The panel includes Carol Sam, manager of Ealing Council's Economic Regeneration team, the department behind the Expo; Andrew Dakers, chief executive of West London Business networking group; and Charlie Suchak owner of Presentz and Partiez. Charlie and her husband Sunny have been in business for 36 years, longer than any other trader on Acton's High Street.

Such a combination of expertise, experience and contacts on the panel means that the pitching businesses will have a lot to gain from the exposure, and who knows what could come of it? The panel will be chaired by Financial Times journalist Yuri Bender, and the discussion is scheduled to run for an hour from 12.30pm.

Other highlights of the Expo include a speed networking session sponsored by the North Acton Co Work Hub, talks and presentations from a range of Acton based businesses, and an exhibition hall full of stands showing off what they have to offer in Acton, from both shop traders and home-based businesses.

Visitors can attend for free, 10.30am-3pm on Thursday 19 May. For more information sign up at actonbizexpo.co.uk, or contact organiser Carlene Bender on Twitter @ActonBizExpo.

The Acton Business Expo is an Ealing Council Economic Regeneration event, supported by the Mayor of London's High Street Fund.

Acton MP goes networking with local businesses

Ealing Central and Acton MP, Dr Rupa Huq, gets into the spirit of things, taking her turn to present a one-minute pitch at the 25 April Acton Business Meetup, before opening up for an impromptu question and answer session with local businesses, and staying on for tea and networking at The Park Club in East Acton. Topics under discussion included Heathrow expansion, Brexit, and the HS2 through North Acton, and how these are affecting Acton-based businesses.

With l-r Yuri Bender (FT journalist who will be chairing the Dragons' Den style panel “If I were an angel investor” at the Acton Business Expo); Juliana Lee Dubuisson (Friends of Springhallow Special School); and Carlene Bender (Acton Business Expo organiser)

Dr Huq presenting her minute at the Acton Business Meetup held on 25 May at The Park Club in East Acton

Dr Huq with Yuri Bender

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May 16, 2016