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Rochester's Felipe Alviar-Baquero, founder of Tiny Town in Larkfield, and Solomon Akhtar founder of Instabear contestants on BBC's The Apprentice

Meet the two Kent businessmen vying to be Lord Sugar's next business partner on the new series of The Apprentice.

Colombian-born Felipe Alviar-Baquero, who lives in Rochester, works as a solicitor at an international law firm.

He was named one of the Top 100 Colombians in 2012 - the same year that he was an Olympic torchbearer.

Felipe Alviar-Baquero is vying to be Lord Sugar's next business partner
Felipe Alviar-Baquero is vying to be Lord Sugar's next business partner

The 34-year-old also designed and founded Tiny Town children's play area in Larkfield, which he describes as his "biggest business achievement".

He is passionate about social entrepreneurship and is a trustee for a British charity supporting vulnerable children in Colombia.

He said: "I studied law because I wanted to change the world. But my real passion is business."

The Apprentice team of Nick Hewer, Lord Sugar and Karren Brady
The Apprentice team of Nick Hewer, Lord Sugar and Karren Brady

Describing why he is a good candidate for the show, he added: "I was one of the top 100 Colombians elected by the Colombian government. It was an honour because I was with people like Shakira."

Also in the runnings is Solomon Akhtar - a former pupil of the Skinner's School in Tunbridge Wells.

The 22-year-old works at a creative agency and runs his own social media technology company.

Solomon Akhtar is a contestant on this year's apprentice
Solomon Akhtar is a contestant on this year's apprentice

He ran student events during his time at the University of Exeter including a retail store 'lock-in' and group yacht trip around Croatia, before turning to entrepreneurship in his final year and launching his mobile phone app, Insteabear.

He said he is enthusiastic, energetic and personable and is passionate about technology and travel.

He added: “I am from the ‘ideas generation’; because of my age I understand technology and how to turn it into a business.”

The app allows users of Instagram to print their photos quickly and easily.

Instabear was awarded Best Graduate Start up 2014 by SETsquared Enterprise Awards and appeared on Red Brick Research as one of Five Pioneering UK Student Startups 2014.

Solomon is also the founder of the Willykini - an 'outrageous underwear' company that provides small, unique swimwear for men.

Felipe and Solomon are two of 20 candidates battling it out to impress millionaire tycoon Lord Sugar on the 10th series of the popular BBC show.

The first episode will be aired on BBC One at 9pm on Tuesday, October 14.


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