2018 Junior Dragons Den Regionals right around the corner
By Nelson Daily Staff
It’s countdown time for the first round of the 2018 Junior Dragons Den Regional Competitions.
Thursday, April 19th, at the Brilliant Cultural Centre, candidates will be strutting their stuff in front of judges during the JDD West Kootenay Regional Competitition. Junior Dragons Den is sponsored by Community Futures in Greater Trail.
Modelled after CBC’s “The Dragons’ Den”, where aspiring entrepreneurs pitch their business idea to a group of potential investors, Junior Dragons Den is a Community Futures led business competition for entrepreneurs from Grades’ 7 to College/ Trades school level to create their own summer job/ business, or to expand an existing one.
Students are required to submit a concise business concept for a product, service or existing business for a chance to compete. Top candidates are then shortlisted and matched with a mentor from the local business community. At this point, competitors work with their mentors to complete a one-page business plan with detailed financials and prepare their two-minute pitch for the live show.
Submissions are evaluated based upon finances, marketability and the live pitch.
The competition is open to students from throughout the East and West Kootenay and Peace regions of British Columbia.
Students may enter the competition in one of the following categories:
- Junior – Grades 7-10
- Senior – Grade 11-12
- Post-Secondary – College/ University/ Trades
In 2017, there was more than $7,000 in prize money up for grabs.
Junior Dragons Den North East BC is set for Friday, April 27th in Dawson Creek at the Calvin Cruk Centre.
The winners from each regional competition automatically advance to the Junior Dragons Den Championship, set for Saturday, May 5 at the Charles Bailey Theatre, Trail.
The Finals begin at 6 p.m. with seating on a first come, first served basis.
Voting for each finalist is 50% by judges and 50% by audience. The audience votes electronically in real time.
The success of Junior Dragons Den has allowed Community Futures Thompson Country to bring the event to Kamloops in 2019.
Community Futures Thompson Country joins the Junior Dragons Den team to host what will become the 4th regional competition throughout BC starting in 2019.
“The calibre of business concepts presented in past years has been amazing and we feel that this initiative is a great fit for Kamloops’ academic, business community and entrepreneurial spirit,” said Blair Gray, General Manager of Community Futures Thompson Country in Kamloops in a media release.
“The other regional competitions are in the West-Kootenay Boundary, North East British Columbia and East Kootenay regions of the province.”
