Irish Startup? Fancy meeting a Dragon?

by Startacus Admin

If you are based in Ireland (North and South) and looking to take your business or startup onto the next level and fancy facing the potential wrath of the Irish Dragons, the Irish series of the Dragons’ Den is on the hunt…

RTE’s Dragons' Den is returning for a sixth series in 2014 and applications are now open. Following the same format as other Dragons’ Den shows from across the globe, the format sees entrepreneurs, startups, inventors (call them what you like) pitching to five Irish business leaders.

You know the format; there’s the odd gem of an idea, a few good ideas that need additional support and a few funny ones along the way - and that’s just the Judges!

But bad jokes aside, Dragons’ Den is a good chance (whether you gain investment or not) of driving interest to your business, getting massive publicity and increased sales. At best, it’s the chance to receive financial support and backing from a leading Irish business expert, who understands and believes in your business - and can see the financial return.

Now in its sixth series, and with close to 300 televised pitches to date - the ratio of successful pitches is close to 1 in 4, with more than 70 businesses securing over €3.3 million in funding in the Den. Of course there’s a lot of pre-screening undertaken before you get the chance to pitch to the Dragons, (including the Dragons Den application form linked here), so that helps the stats, but it’s a pretty good ratio in reality as Venture Capitalists / Dragons / Business Angels don’t just invest in any old idea.

The Irish show produced by Screentime ShinAwiL and sponsored by Bank of Ireland will this year face a fiery new Dragon in the Den who will sit alongside existing Dragons Ramona Nicholas, Gavin Duffy, Barry O’Sullivan, and Peter Casey. Applications to enter the Dragons Den have to be submitted by 20th December, so don’t wait too long if interested.

So...Are you in? Or out?

To apply go to: www.bankofireland.com/dragons 

If you liked this Irish themed article you might also like:

• The Irish Times Innovation Awards
• Friday Night Mashup aims to raise the profile of NI Startups
• Startup loans aims to increase Northern Ireland Enterprise
• Unibaggage Bag Smarta Award

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Published on: 24th November 2013