RTE's Dragons' Den Seeks Entrepreneurs

RTÉ's Dragons' Den Seeks Entrepreneurs
'One idea, one pitch, one deal away from the dream'


RTÉ Television has recently launched details of its upcoming new show Dragons Den. The Bafta-nominated series will debut on RTÉ One in early 2009 and they are on the hunt for YOU, budding inventors willing to take a risk and do the pitch of a lifetime to the Dragons!

The hit format will offer budding inventors and entrepreneurs the opportunity of a life time, with the chance to secure investment in their fledging business.

Presented by Richard Curran, Deputy Editor of The Sunday Business Post, RTÉ's Dragons' Den is sponsored by Bank of Ireland and will be produced by Screentime ShinAwiL. About to go into production, the series is seeking would-be entrepreneurs to pitch to take part for the chance of to fund their unique idea and see that elusive business dream catapulted into reality.

In the eight-part series, many hopeful entrepreneurs will get to pitch their business schemes in front of five wealthy and successful venture capitalists, the eponymous Dragons. Will they invest and finance the dream? First, the entrepreneurs must convince the experienced Dragons of the merits of their business ideas.

The Irish Dragons are successful entrepreneurs and business leaders who have been there, done that. They are: Gavin Duffy, Bobby Kerr, Sean Gallagher, Niall O'Farrell and Sarah Newman. Crucially, it will be the Dragons' own hard earned cash on the table. These are shrewd business people who have heard it all before and who are not afraid to say 'no' in the harshest of terms. But if they spot an idea with that extra special something, they and they alone will have the power to make dreams come true and invest money from their own pockets.

Clare Duignan, Director of Programmes, RTÉ Television, said: "We are delighted to bring this successful series to Irish viewers. Dragons' Den has a natural appeal for the Ireland given the high percentage of entrepreneurs in this country. It is compelling television: the sheer jeopardy of it, the fact that there are winners and losers. Not only that, it's also the fact that it could be you: you could be that person in that make or break situation. The RTÉ series will have great Irish would-be entrepreneurs, and fierce Irish Dragons of proven business acumen and astuteness. It also offers potential investment for Irish businesses in these challenging economic times. We believe it will be an RTÉ 'must see'."


Gabriel Bannigan, Director of Retail Strategy and Marketing, Bank of Ireland said: "Entrepreneurs are unique individuals that have the competencies, the drive and the vision to create a successful business from scratch. Bank of Ireland is the leading bank for business start-ups in Ireland and has provided the essential funding and financial expertise underpinning many of today's Irish business success stories. There continues to be a strong level of business start-up activity in Ireland and our sponsorship of Ireland's Dragons' Den reflects and aligns with our ambition to be the leading supporter of new and growing innovative business in Ireland."

If you have what it takes to appear in Dragons' Den and have an idea that is investment-ready, the show is ready to hear from you. Potential applicants can download the application form here or call 01 4066433.

The closing date for applications to the Dragons' Den is 5th of December 2008.
Dragons%20Den%20Application%20Form.rtf