Free business start-up support launches across Dorset to help aspiring entrepreneurs

Free business breakfasts and practical workshops are taking place across Dorset, offering support for aspiring entrepreneurs and early-stage business owners.
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Rachel Hadfield
October 20, 2026

Aspiring entrepreneurs and early-stage business owners across Dorset are being encouraged to take advantage of a new programme of free business support, with business breakfasts and practical workshops events taking place in towns across the county between November 2026 and March 2027.

Delivered by business advisory firm Evolve in partnership with Dorset Council, the programme is designed to help local people explore business ideas, gain confidence, develop practical skills and meet others on a similar journey.

The programme includes two types of events, Start Up Business Breakfasts and The Start Line workshops, offering different opportunities for people considering starting a business or taking their first steps into self-employment.

The Start Up Business Breakfasts are informal morning events bringing together aspiring entrepreneurs, early-stage business owners and experienced business advisors. Attendees will hear first-hand experiences from local business owners who have been in their shoes and have experienced the challenges of starting and running a business, sharing their successes and the lessons they learned along the way.

Held around the county, the Business Breakfast events aim to help people build contacts and connections within their local business community and find out more about finance, local networks and further support available.

For those with a business idea but unsure where to begin, or perhaps an early-stage business keen to understand more, The Start Line offers a more hands-on practical workshop to help participants explore and test their ideas, understand the foundations of starting a business and begin shaping their next steps.

Covering areas such as identifying customers, marketing, financial planning and the practical considerations of setting up a business, the sessions also provide an opportunity for participants to discuss their individual ideas and challenges with an experienced business advisor.

David Mutton, Business Advisor at Evolve, said:

“Starting a business can be exciting, but it can also feel quite daunting, particularly when you are trying to work everything out on your own.

“Whether you have an idea that you haven’t quite taken forward yet, or you’ve already started a business and are finding your feet, having the right people around you and knowing where to turn for advice can make a real difference.

“These events are about bringing people together locally, creating a space to ask questions, hear from people who have been there themselves and find out what support is available.

“There are many fantastic businesses and entrepreneurs across Dorset and we want to make it easier for more people to connect with that support and with each other.”

The first events will take place in November, with Start Up Business Breakfasts in Shaftesbury and Bridport on Wednesday 11 November, followed by Dorchester on Tuesday 24 November. The first Start Line workshop will take place in Shaftesbury on Friday 27 November.

Further events will be held in towns across the Dorset Council area through to March 2027, providing opportunities for local residents and business owners to access support closer to home.

Cllr Richard Biggs, Dorset Council’s Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Economic Growth and Strategic Assets, said:

“Small businesses play a vital role in Dorset’s economy, creating jobs, supporting our communities and helping our towns and villages thrive.

“Starting a business can be a big step, and having access to the right support and advice at the right time can make all the difference.

“We’re pleased to be working with Evolve to bring this free support programme into communities across Dorset, making it easier for people to develop their ideas, build their confidence and take the first steps towards starting or growing a business.

“Backing our entrepreneurs today will help create the jobs, businesses and economic growth Dorset needs for tomorrow.”

All events are free to attend, but places are limited and registration is required.

Anyone living in the Dorset Council area who is considering starting a business or is in the early stages of running one is encouraged to explore the programme and find an event near them.

To find out more and to register, click here

Authored by:

Rachel Hadfield

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Partnering with Evolve for the Ignite Start-Up programme has been brilliant for our local entrepreneurship support efforts. The comprehensive training and personalised mentoring provided to participants have led to the successful launch of numerous new businesses. The value of this programme is clear, and we are thrilled with the results. A big thank you to the Evolve team for their expertise and commitment!

BCP Council Representative

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The programme itself has been excellent, combining strong content around marketing, brand, financials, and setting clear objectives with valuable networking and shared learning. The support has been especially important for me after leaving a long-term role of 19 years to start my own business — it’s helped me feel supported, focused, and confident in this next step.

David Bowerman

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The programme has really kicked me to reflect and made me want this. The company is going to drive forward and not simply go with the flow.

Ben Smith

Production Manager, Trimetals
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The Evolve team have a huge amount of real world experience over many years in the entrepreneurial and business growth sector.

Great humans, running a great business, offering real solutions and support with integrity and authenticity. No fluff, just fast paced learning and support.

Mark Cribb

Owner & Founder of Urban Garden
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Being a business owner can often feel like a lonely place. The Peer Group has given me a space to step away, offload, and openly share the challenges that come with running a business, alongside people who truly understand the journey.

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Managing Director, Marsham Court Hotel
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The Evolve peer group sessions are a great place to get away from the day to day, refocus and ultimately bounce ideas off other business people. The structure of the session permits open conversation with your peers and always provides useful insights that you would not be able to get anywhere else. The specific work books challenge you and really get you thinking on what is important in your business.

Julian Morgan

Director at Energy Advice Line Limited
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Evolve is a safe space for businesses to share challenges and explore solutions from diverse perspectives. David and his team lead engaging workshops, encouraging participants to trust the process and question decisions, providing secure ways to move forward. Evolve is a vital business growth resource, offering time to review, question, monitor, and plan business development, learning from personal and shared experiences.

Claire Main

Economic Development Officer at BCP Council
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The expert coaching and guidance Evolve offer is invaluable. When you view business and strategy with perspective you can have thoughts and ideas to make decisions that will impact your business in a positive way.

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The Evolve Business Accelerator was brilliant for me and my business. Their support helped refine our strategy, expand our services, and achieve significant growth. The mentors were incredibly supportive and provided invaluable insights to plan and scale. A big thank you to the Evolve team for their support.

Adam Thompson

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The Evolve team has played an integral part in making the Peer Networks programme a success in Dorset. The whole team has always acted with the highest standards and with great professionalism, be that in the management of the programme or the coordination. They are extremely diligent and organised and they have been pleasure to work with. Following their involvement with Peer Networks, they also successfully won a competitive tender for another business support programme we commissioned which they have approached with an equally excellent attitude.

Finn Morgan

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Warren’s skills include being able to see the wider commercial and strategic benefits of a transaction and therefore ensuring that a coherent and considered plan is devised and implemented well in advance. I actively recommend Warren and his team to anyone considering how they might best maximise an exit from their business.

Mark Brooks

Mark Brooks
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Participating in Evolve’s Growth & Productivity Programme has been incredibly beneficial. The programme provided crucial insights into growth strategies and enhanced our team’s engagement through improved communication and leadership. While there is still work to be done, the progress we’ve made is very promising. Thank you to Evolve and the Dorset LEP for their support.

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The Evolve Business Accelerator is a fantastic programme for founders in the early stages of developing a business idea. The programme was instrumental in helping me develop HR Diagnostics to MVP stage and I would have struggled to get where I am without this help and support. The mentors have a pragmatic and approachable style, and they are good at connecting people through their extensive network. Thank you to the Evolve team 🙂

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Warren does not see himself as a guru and would be embarrassed to be referred to that way.  But when I think of seeking support from my network on any business topic, if not life topic, invariably I’m after someone who has seen, experienced and done it all, from financial to operations to strategy. From big business to little business, but who also understands the importance of family and health, and not just business ‘success’, that person is pretty much always Warren, my guru.

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Over nine months, Evolve gave me the knowledge, confidence, and entrepreneurial mindset to turn this into a viable business. The mentorship, workshops, and support helped me validate my idea and build a sustainable model. I’m incredibly grateful and would recommend the Accelerator to any student or aspiring entrepreneur looking to make an impact.

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The Evolve team were organised, forward thinking and a pleasure to work with. The Business Festival was a success, which helped us engage with our business community, understand their challenges and build connections. I would not hesitate to recommend Evolve to any Council or public sector organisation, looking for a team to organise successful events within their region.

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The group helped me take a step back and look at things differently. It’s made a real difference having that kind of support and input from people who’ve been through similar experiences.

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“Wild horses couldn’t hold me back from joining everyone in our Peer Group this month!”

Sandra Palmer-Snellin

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Participating in Evolve’s Digital and Creative Growth Group Programme has been incredibly valuable. The sessions on growth strategies, planning, leadership, and employee engagement have given me the confidence and tools to drive our business forward. The new connections and perspectives I gained have been instrumental in supporting our growth. Thank you to Evolve for this fantastic opportunity.

Emma Lynch

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Working with Evolve has been a game-changer for us and the businesses in their programmes. Their knowledgeable, skilled team brings real business experience and is genuinely invested in success. Their innovative approach and attention to detail have greatly improved our efficiency and impacted many businesses. Evolve’s commitment to understanding needs and delivering tailored solutions has exceeded our expectations. I highly recommend them to anyone looking to elevate their business. Evolve is more than a partner—they’re a catalyst for growth.

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Evolve’s support was instrumental in our investment journey. Warren’s expertise in developing our pitch deck and financial forecasts has given us the confidence to approach investors with a strong proposition. We’re excited about the potential and appreciate the support from the Dorset LEP that made this possible. Thank you, for helping us take our innovative sunscreen to the next level.

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Attending Evolve’s Growth Group Programme was incredibly valuable. The workshops on business strategy, planning, and leadership helped me broaden my horizons and gain new insights. Meeting other leaders facing similar challenges was both supportive and motivating. Joining a business peer group has allowed me to continue benefiting from this broader perspective. Thank you to Evolve for this transformative experience.

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The training provided by Evolve has been invaluable for our leadership team. The sessions have equipped us with essential skills and fostered a culture of continuous improvement. We are now better equipped to handle complex challenges, engage our teams effectively, and drive the firm forward. We greatly appreciate Evolve’s expertise and commitment to our development.

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Working with Warren was transformative for our startup. His expertise in creating pitch decks and financial forecasts has been invaluable. We now have the confidence and tools to present our business to investors effectively. We are excited about the future and anticipate good news soon. Thank you, Warren, for your invaluable support.

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Collaborating with Amy and the whole Evolve team has been an incredibly seamless experience. Amy’s professionalism is evident in every interaction and her dedication to helping businesses thrive is inspiring. Amy’s commitment to going the extra mile ensures that each programme is tailored to meet the unique needs of Dorset businesses. I highly recommend working with Amy and the Evolve team.

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Being part of the Peer Group has given me access to invaluable advice, shared experiences, and new opportunities that I wouldn’t have had otherwise. The environment encourages honest discussion, accountability, and continual development, which has been instrumental in my personal and professional progress. I’m genuinely grateful for the encouragement and support I’ve received through Evolve and would highly recommend them to any founder or organisation looking for meaningful guidance, perspective, and long-term growth.

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It felt like the right time to invest in myself so I could continue steering the business effectively. The real value from the funded programme came from the people, the perspective, and the practical tools it offered. It was informative, engaging, and most importantly, it made me think differently.

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It’s been fantastic because we’ve had the opportunity to step out of the office and the questions have been steered. It’s got everybody opening up and they’ve been a lot more open and honest about what the gaps are, where the holes are and what we need to fill. We’ve taken that away and implemented that in the higher management meetings. We’ve implemented so much from the Evolve sessions that will go towards the company yearly objectives and I hope will continuously improve what we’re trying to do within the business.

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