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Four entrepreneurs will be looking for their big break later this month when they try their luck in the so-called 'Lion’s Den', pitching to a panel of retail experts as part of the first UK Food and Drink Entrepreneur Forum, to be held on 27 November in London.

The companies presenting their new product developments will be Grumpy Mule, Munchy Seeds, The Cake Bake Company (famous for the sponge used in the Skoda advert!), and Three Counties Gourmet.

The retail panellists include Neil Nugent from Waitrose, Nils Clement from Starbucks Coffee, and Kay Wheelton from The Co-operative Group.

Each company will be given five minutes to pitch its new product ideas to the panel, after which it will receive detailed feedback along with general advice on how to convince buyers and secure listings.

As Ian Balmforth, MD of Grumpy Mule, said: “It’s always difficult to get in front of the retailers, so this is a fantastic opportunity to test our product and to gain first-hand advice on how to approach pitches in the future.”

The UK Food and Drink Entrepreneur Forum is designed for owners and management teams looking to grow and develop their businesses by providing an overview of the routes available.

Other speakers include leading brand owners and industry experts such as Andrew Cawthray from Cawingredients Ltd, Mark Palmer from Green & Black’s, Ben Cull from Yeo Valley Organic, Oliver Wyncoll from Langholm Capital (the fund behind Dorset Cereals and Tyrells Potato Chips), Richard Reed from Innocent Drinks, Peter Farquhar from Dorset Cereals and John Mathers from Blue Marlin Brand Design.

There will also be briefings from Zenith International experts on how to grow business and ways to secure finance.

As well as entrepreneurs, the audience will include other retailers and distributors, investors and suppliers all looking for the next big thing.

For more information, and to book online, visit the <1>.

<1>: http://www.zenithinternational.com/events/event_details.asp?id=62