Dacorum's Den

Organised by Dacorum Borough Council and supported by local sponsors and part-funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, Dacorum’s Den is our business grant scheme, based on the popular TV show Dragons' Den, which gives budding local entrepreneurs the chance to apply for up to £1,000 to grow and develop a business idea.

Now in its 11th year, Dacorum’s Den has awarded more than £100,000 to over 80 Dacorum businesses and created additional jobs across the borough.

How to apply

Applications for Dacorum’s Den 2025 have now closed.

Entries are currently being reviewed, and businesses will be notified in due course. Winners will be announced in June 2025.

The programme is set to run again in 2026.

Sponsors and business support package suppliers

This year’s sponsors are Sopra Steria, Beeches Group, Sureserve Compliance Central and RSK Geosciences. Our business support package suppliers are Bloom with BB, Sales Geek, Connect Dacorum Networking Group and Trent Portraiture. Find out more on our Dacorum's Den sponsors page.

Past winners

In 2023, 10 budding entrepreneurs won Dacorum's Den funding and were awarded up to £2,000. Find out more about our 2023 winners. And read a winner's story.

How to be a sponsor

Please email business@dacorum.gov.uk if you're interested in sponsoring Dacorum’s Den in 2026. It's a great initiative for larger businesses to help small local businesses grow or develop new start-up ideas. The programme provides a platform to raise your business profile locally, demonstrate corporate social responsibility and a commitment to support local economic development. This small injection of funding and support can go a long way to help a small business grow.

Contact us

If you have any questions or would like more information, please email business@dacorum.gov.uk