The Next Big Idea — Junior Dragons Den Thursday at Brilliant Cultural Centre
By Nelson Daily Staff
A care box for lonely students away from home, a home décor company and a clothing business that recycles clothing from a local thrift store are just a few young entrepreneurs looking to impress judges during the 2018 West Kootenay-Boundary Junior Dragons Den Regional competition Thursday at the Brilliant Cultural Centre in Castlegar.
Billed as “The Next Big Idea”, Thursday’s JDD Regional Semi Final, modelled after CBC’s “The Dragons’ Den”, is a chance for aspiring business minds to pitch their ideas 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.
Thursday’s Regional Finalists each submitted a business concept for starting or improving their business before being short-listed.
These entrants were matched with a local business mentor to develop a one-page business plan and a short pitch video.
The competition’s Junior level is for students in Grades eight to 10, and the Senior level includes grades 11 and 12.
The post-secondary category is open to high school graduates from the Kootenay region attending colleges within or outside the region.
There are approximately a dozen entrants set to take the stage at 6:30 p.m., showcasing their business ideas before the judges.
The Junior level includes, Kootenay Blow & Tow; Welcome Home Décor; Eccentric Clothing Company; Double Diamond Health Bracelet; Honey Butternut; Selkirk Seaglass; and Peterson Cryongenic Labs.
West Kootenay College Division includes, Academy Care Box; Wild Kootenay Honey; Virtual Reality of the Kootenays; Groceries2Go; and XY Household Cleaning.
These presentation for the Regional Finalists can be view at this Junior Dragons Den Facebook Link.
The first JDD was held in Trail in 2014.
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.
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.
