Bath Dragons
Your Shot At Winning A £5,000 Cash Prize & £20,000 Worth Of Ongoing Support.
After the resounding success of the last two year’s competitions, 2027 promises to be even bigger, bolder, and packed with opportunity for growing businesses across Bath and the surrounding area.
The 2026 winner received a business-boosting £5,000 cash prize in addition to an impressive £20,000 business support package, giving access to expert guidance spanning accountancy, tax, corporate finance, legal strategy, and PR.
The programme has been designed to equip growing businesses with the skills, advice, and confidence needed to accelerate growth and scale faster. Entries are open to limited companies, over 2 years old, with turnover of around £100K or over, based in BANES or within 10 miles of the centre of Bath.
About the programme
Bath Dragons 2027 entries open in February 2027!
Last year’s champion, Jessica Langford-Snape from Wild Flour Cake Company, impressed the Dragons with her approach, growth plans and commitment to producing exceptional cakes for independent cafes.
The initiative is a collaborative effort led by four of Bath’s top local businesses: accountants and tax advisers Richardson Swift, law firm Mogers Drewett, business finance and funding experts South West Business Finance (SWBF) and business magazine and events platform The Business Exchange (TBE).
Since its launch in 2025, the city has rallied around the Dragons project. This year the competition is being supported by Bath Building Society and Business West, they will host multiple exclusive VIP “Dinners with the Dragons” in the run-up to the launch. More information on this below!
Promotional and community partners include Invest in BANES, the West of England Combined Authority, The Bath BID, as well as Bath Spa University Business School, and the University of Bath School of Management.
Meet the Dragons
Debbie Boulton
MD & chartered accountant
Debbie Boulton is a chartered accountant who has worked in the Bath area for over 25 years, building a deep understanding of the local business community and the challenges facing the firm's clients. She joined Richardson Swift as a director in March 2013, and in 2022 she was appointed the company's first managing director, leading the firm into its next chapter and shaping it into a genuine "firm of the future."
Tom Webb
Solictor & law firm partner
Tom is a Partner at Mogers Drewett Solicitors, as well as heading up the Corporate and Commercial Department.
He specialises in complex commercial transactional work, largely for private companies and typically for entrepreneurial businesses. Tom helps them navigate the deals and decisions that can make a real difference to their growth, from strategic acquisitions to successful exits.
Dan Smith
Entrepreneur & founder of business finance company
Dan Smith is a Director of SWBF and brings more than 14 years of experience in commercial and corporate banking, having held senior relationship management and business development roles with leading High Street banks including NatWest and Lloyds. Throughout his banking career, Dan worked closely with SMEs, entrepreneurs, property investors, and developers, helping businesses secure funding to support growth, acquisitions, refinancing and working capital requirements.
Anita Jaynes
Journalist, magazine founder & entrepreneur
Anita Jaynes is Founder and Director of The Business Exchange South West (TBE), a business-to-business publishing and events company that connects and champions businesses across the region. With more than 20 years' experience in media, Anita has worked as a journalist, broadcaster and in senior commercial roles spanning media sales, business development, marketing and data analysis across both the private and third sectors.
Debbie Boulton
MD & chartered accountant
Debbie Boulton is a chartered accountant who has worked in the Bath area for over 25 years, building a deep understanding of the local business community and the challenges facing the firm's clients. She joined Richardson Swift as a director in March 2013, and in 2022 she was appointed the company's first managing director, leading the firm into its next chapter and shaping it into a genuine "firm of the future."
As a dragon, Debbie brings a practical, advice-led approach and a clear understanding of what growing businesses need, and the challenges that can get in their way. She believes the right advice and investment, at the right time, can make a real difference, and loves helping ambitious businesses turn their plans into growth.
Dan Smith
Entrepreneur & founder of business finance company
Dan Smith is a Director of SWBF and brings more than 14 years of experience in commercial and corporate banking, having held senior relationship management and business development roles with leading High Street banks including NatWest and Lloyds. Throughout his banking career, Dan worked closely with SMEs, entrepreneurs, property investors, and developers, helping businesses secure funding to support growth, acquisitions, refinancing and working capital requirements. His property finance expertise spans a wide range of projects, from individual self-build and residential investment opportunities through to complex multi-million-pound development and investment portfolios.
Today, Dan works with business owners and property professionals across the UK, combining his banking background with access to a broad panel of lenders to help clients navigate an increasingly complex funding market. Known for his relationship-led approach and practical commercial advice, Dan is passionate about connecting people, supporting ambitious businesses, and helping clients turn opportunities into reality. Alongside his role at SWBF, he is actively involved in the local business community and takes pride in supporting initiatives that encourage entrepreneurship, innovation, and sustainable business growth.
"What I enjoy most about Bath Dragons is the opportunity to meet passionate entrepreneurs and hear the stories behind their businesses. Every founder starts with an idea, but it takes determination, resilience, and a willingness to learn to turn that idea into a successful venture. Bath Dragons provides a fantastic platform for ambitious business owners to gain valuable feedback, build confidence and access the support and connections that can help take their business to the next stage. Being part of that journey is incredibly rewarding."
Anita Jaynes
Journalist, magazine founder & entrepreneur
Anita Jaynes is Founder and Director of The Business Exchange South West (TBE), a business-to-business publishing and events company that connects and champions businesses across the region. With more than 20 years' experience in media, Anita has worked as a journalist, broadcaster and in senior commercial roles spanning media sales, business development, marketing and data analysis across both the private and third sectors.
Drawing on her experience as a media professional and natural connector, Anita has built TBE into a respected platform that brings together print, digital and face-to-face events to support business growth, collaboration and community engagement. She has launched a number of successful initiatives, including TBE Charity Conference & Expo, TBE Show, the Techies Swindon & Wiltshire and TBE Awards. In 2022, Anita was recognised as one of the UK's most inspirational female entrepreneurs by f:Entrepreneur and, in 2025, received three International Stevie Awards for Women in Business.
Tom Webb
Solictor & law firm partner
Tom is a Partner at Mogers Drewett Solicitors, as well as heading up the Corporate and Commercial Department.
He specialises in complex commercial transactional work, largely for private companies and typically for entrepreneurial businesses. Tom helps them navigate the deals and decisions that can make a real difference to their growth, from strategic acquisitions to successful exits.
He is a commercial lawyer but likes to think that he’s a business adviser first and a lawyer second. Tom believes good advice should be clear, practical and jargon-free, and prides himself on being approachable and accessible. Many of the businesses Tom works with have been clients for many years because his aim is to become the person they call when they have an important business decision to make.
As a Dragon, Tom will be putting his time, experience and network behind the winning business. “I’ll be looking for more than a great pitch. I want to see ambition, commercial sense, a compelling opportunity and an entrepreneur who is ready to turn potential into growth.” - Tom Webb, 2026, on what he’s looking for in Bath Dragons 2027
The Process
Entries will be via an online form which can be accessed below, after the official launch in February 2027. Entries are free and will remain open until the end of April 2027.
Only 4 entrants will be taken forward to meet the Dragons in person. The companies’ owners or senior managers can expect to be grilled about their business and their plans in a series of 15 minute interviews.
The competition will culminate in a live final, where the finalists will have to present their ideas and face questioning in front of an invited audience of their peers, business leaders and enterprise specialists from Invest In B&nes, Bath BID, and Bath Spa University Business School, Bath University School of Management and the West of England Combined Authority, among others.
Ultimately, the winner will be decided by a combination of votes from the Dragons and the live audience at the end of the final, and then the hard work begins…
The Prize
£5000 CASH & £20K OF BUSINESS SUPPORT
The prize will be individually tailored to meet the needs of the winning business, but will be made up of legal advice, accountancy and tax consultancy support, assistance with arranging business finance, and a package of promotional support and PR consultancy. How and which specific services will be included will be decided on in collaboration with the winner themselves, once they have been chosen.
VIP Dinners with the Dragons
As Bath Dragons prepares to return for a third year in 2027, we’re bringing together a select group of business leaders, entrepreneurs and supporters for an exclusive evening at The Ivy Bath Brasserie on Thursday 24th September from 6pm.
Hosted by the Bath Dragons team and supported by Business West, the evening will provide an opportunity to meet the Dragons, hear more about the future of the initiative and connect with fellow business leaders from across Bath and Somerset.
Over dinner, guests will have the chance to discuss the region’s business landscape, growth opportunities and the role initiatives such as Bath Dragons play in supporting ambitious local businesses.
There are just 50 places available for the evening, making this an intimate opportunity to build valuable connections in a relaxed setting.
Watch this space for updates on upcoming Bath Dragons VIP dinners!
What You Will Learn
Entry Criteria
Bath Dragons is aimed at established businesses entering their growth phase, so the judges will be looking for ambitious projects and new developments in the business where their help can have real impact.
It is open to registered companies, based in BANES and/or a ten-mile radius around Bath.
They must have been trading for over 2 years, and must have a solid plan for developing the business that they can demonstrate.
They must be able to demonstrate a turnover of £100K a year or more.
Banes area
Your business needs to be in BANES or within a 10-mile radius of the centre of Bath.
Registered Company
Your business needs to be a registered company.
+2 years trading
You need to have been trading for more than 2 years.
£100,000+ turnover
Your company's turnover needs to be over £100,000.
Our Previous Winners
2026 winner - Wild Flour Cake Co
2025 winner - Canned Wine Group
What the Dragons Are Looking For...
“As judges, we are excited to work with a winning business that demonstrates strong foundations, and an ambitious growth project poised for scale. We take great pride in supporting our clients and are eager to see the quality of entries and the unique journeys they represent. Being part of a local competition and witnessing the winning project come to life will be truly rewarding.”
- Dan Smith