If you have not heard of Dragon's Den before, its a popular show in the US and the UK. It's about entrepreneurs proposing to their ideas to a group of multi-millionaires, known as the dragons, for a sum of money so as to start their business, in exchange for part of the business's equity.
This post is actually about a similar style to Dragon's Den, but it is held in a university, with the deans and other directors as the "dragons". Participants, not only students in the university, but with other people from the public as well, they pitch their social enterprises' business ideas to the "dragons", hoping to get a lump sum of money from them.
It was a tough competition as they narrowed the participants from hundreds all the way to the final three. There were also another 23 other social enterprises that received some form of support from the university, despite not getting the amount of money.
Personally, I feel that this is a very good way to promote social enterprise on what they do as coming up with a business plan would require them to read into what exactly is a social enterprise and what's social cause all about. Also, coming up with such events help to promote social enterprise as well as since Dragon's Den is a famous show, people would wish to participate and its a good way to encourage people to join in and pitch their business plans too.
What's your thought on this? Using a variety show's concept to attract people to pitch in their ideas. Do you think it's feasible? Because in my own opinion, i find this idea very innovative and creative.
Read the full article here : http://www.northamptonchron.co.uk/news/business/local-businesses/entrepreneurs_pitch_for_20_000_at_dragon_s_den_style_event_at_university_of_northampton_1_3259130
Reference : Jones, C. (2011, November 18) Entrepreneurs pitch for £20.000 at Dragon’s Den-style event at University of Northampton. Retrieved from http://www.northamptonchron.co.uk/news/business/local-businesses/entrepreneurs_pitch_for_20_000_at_dragon_s_den_style_event_at_university_of_northampton_1_3259130
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Hi Kenneth,
ReplyDeleteI think the inspired dragon's den concept is very interesting. It is a meaning process as the best are filtered out, which means that students are forced to examine and improve their business models thoroughly before qualifying for the grant to start up their social enterprises.
I also think it is very encouraging of the university to provide other forms of help to assist the remaining 23 aspiring social enterprise ideas who did not receive the funding.
It is indeed a very good action taken by the university to promote social entrepreneurship amongst its students.