YOU won’t meet Simon Cowell or even RTE business guru Bobby Kerr for that matter.
But Termon is the place to be this Friday if you want to see the very best in Donegal’s budding business brains and have a bit of fun.
Seven local entrepreneurs will go head to head in the Dragon Factor for a fantastic €10,000 business prize package at the live final in Craoibhin Community and Enterprise Centre at 7.30pm.
The entrepreneur left standing will walk away with a range of prizes including €2,000 in start-up capital, a website, a stationery suite, financial and legal advice package, office equipment and signage.
The Dragon Factor, the brainchild of the voluntary committee at Craoibhin, was inspired by the success of RTE’s Dragon’s Den.
The committee launched this idea earlier this year in the hope of injecting new optimism into the local economy, in some small way.
Inviting the people of Donegal to come forward with their ideas with the prospect of starting their own business, applicants were asked to think about the market they are operating in, who their customers are, how they are going to generate income.
They were also asked what makes them different, what the costs are, both once-off start up costs and first year operational costs and where they want to see their business idea in 12 months time.
Committee chairperson Michael McBride said he was delighted by the response to the competition.
“We are thrilled at the level of support The Dragon Factor has received from participating organizations, sponsors and the local media.
“The idea has generated great response within the county and has encouraged new businesses to come forward with their innovate ideas, thus inspiring the optimism it set out to inspire. I look forward to the final and to seeing the creative business ideas Donegal has to offer.”
The seven finalists include: Denis Carr, iTime who has developed a web–based platform managing online bookings for leisure time activities, bringing service providers and customers together, Trevor Mahon, TM Lighting presenting the concept of low cost low energy lighting; Sean O Donnell, Hygienic Household Water Company with the concept of introducing water tank cleaning; Brian Kelly, presenting a new child safety feature for household doors; Aidan Robb, Cargo Defender with a product designed to limit cargo theft; John Curran, Derryveagh Vermiculture with the development of large worm waste products; and finally Rita Cassidy, Frames 4 U presenting personalised flower frames.
The contestants will be split into two groups and will be asked to pitch their ideas to the panel of Dragons and the present audience.
The Dragons will vote one from each group to go through to the Head to Head final round, where each contestant will have a five minute slot to sell their idea. The audience will then vote for the overall winner
The Dragons include a number of well-known faces including Hugh Downey of Sharp Design, Paul Hannigan, President of the LYIT and Michael Tunney of the Donegal Enterprise Board.
So don’t miss out on the exciting and fiery Dragon Factor Final this Friday, March 4th.
The show starts at 7.30pm and tickets, price €5 can be bought at the door. Buffet refreshments are included in the ticket price.
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