Students enter the dragons’ den
Last updated 19:55, Thursday, 21 August 2008
STUDENTS at Lakes College took part in the first ever cross-college Dragons’ Den style competition recently.
The competition, which was judged by local business men and women, was organised in partnetship with A4e Enterprise, who offered a cash prize of £200 to the winner.
Mike Stuart, from A4e Enterprise, spoke to students about how to set up in business and write that all important business plan which was eventually presented to the ‘Dragons’ just two-and-a- half hours later.
Four judges, Colin Sharpe, the Port of Workington’s business development manager; Keith McMean, marketing, design and strategy expert; Suzanne Caldwell from the Cumbria Chamber of Commerce; and Ed Henderson from A4e Enterprise, listened to the students’ ideas. The entries included a paint-balling company, an art supplies shop and a sports bar.
But the Dragons agreed on one winner – a group of tourism students, Luke Stephenson, 19, from Braithwaite, Francis Flanagan,19, from Whitehaven and Lauren Ritson, 17, from Workington.
The team – named TNT who planned to create an aquatic-based tourist trail over roads and lakes – gathered a great deal of interest from the business advisors and Dragons who felt the calibre of the entry was realistic and worth considering as a real business venture.
Mike Stuart, senior business advisor for A4e Enterprise, said: “This was a great opportunity for us to liaise directly with students who will be leaving college over the forthcoming months and years and have a real chance of starting up their own business.
"At A4e Enterprise we aim to work closely with business start ups and give them expert advice and support offering them all they need to succeed.”
Cyril Wheat, assistant principal at Lakes College, said: “This was an excellent opportunity for Lakes College students to get a real taste of the business world and learn first hand what it takes to run a successful business.”
