BBC - Dragons' Den

[BBC]

Do you need cash for your business idea?

Dragons’ Den is continuing to offer entrepreneurs from across the country the chance to make their business dreams come true.
The BBC is currently searching for Britain’s best entrepreneurs and will be auditioning throughout the coming months. We want to hear from anyone who thinks they’ve got what it takes to enter the Dragons’ Den.
If you would like an application form please send an e-mail to dragonsden@bbc.co.uk, telephone 09011 110825 (calls cost 25p from a BT landline, other operators and mobiles may vary) or visit www.bbc.co.uk/dragonsden

[DIY]

That is a great program and is very entertaining, but I don't think Britain’s best entrepreneurs will be entering, perhaps Britain's most entertaining entrepreneurs are more suitable ?

[UK Contract Centre]

I kinda of disagree about DIY's comment (no offence ment at ll by the way) but i have seen some of the best Entrepreneurs on the show, namely the broadband for boats idea, and the 'new' rubics cube, which made both gentlemen involved financial safe for the rest of there lifes!

Other products which didnt get invested in sometimes recieve great interest outside the show too, as its great PR, as the old saying goes, their is no such thing as bad press!

Love the show, although we dont need any funding, would be fun to go on and meet my motivation

[Brian Turner]

I think DIY's on the ball.

I mean, seriously, these people walk in and sign over huge chunks of their business over for what is relatively little cash. £25k for 25% of the business?

The "business angels" on the show much be laughing all the way to the bank - they can cream the best, and push for large ownership of profits that the owners have too little business-sense to protect.

Seriously, would anyone here go on the show if they needed investment cash?

It's entertainment first, I think.

[UK Contract Centre]

each to their own, its like Brian says 'some' of these people dont have great business sense (or pretend not to) and yes granted they give away a huge stake of the company, but if you look at it from the point of view;

I will give you 50k for 50% of the company and in two years your stake will be worth 500k

OR turn me down and try and do it on your own without all my contacts or experience or media help...

What would you do!

[Brian Turner]

That's what I mean - some of the people they get really don't seem to have much business sense - great ideas, but little business sense.

It's funny when the dragon's push for a higher share of the company and the entrepreneurs cave in - allowing for 50% ownership instead of pushing for 25% (as an example) means if the company has an asset value of £1m after 2 years, they've already lost £250k by rushing into a quick decision.

[lakedaemon]

Originally Posted by Brian Turner

That's what I mean - some of the people they get really don't seem to have much business sense - great ideas, but little business sense.

It's funny when the dragon's push for a higher share of the company and the entrepreneurs cave in - allowing for 50% ownership instead of pushing for 25% (as an example) means if the company has an asset value of £1m after 2 years, they've already lost £250k by rushing into a quick decision.

Interesting story on BBC South News yesterday about a guy who was offered money on Dragons Den but actually refused due to the dragons high percentage demands. Peter Jones ridiculed the guy afterwards for being mad and not taking the offer.

This bloke has a contract with most of the major supermarkets now.

Without the show, I wonder if he would be a successful but I still admire his resolution in standing up to what I see as bullying by some of the dragons when they spot an opportunity.

[DIY]

I guess it is good publicity!

You could go on and then sell your idea and then turn them all down, you can't buy publicity like that

I don't watch much TV because I have better things to do (internet ) but if Dragons den or the apprentice is on I will watch it. They are very entertaining programs.

Some of their claims that they have the best business brains in the UK applying are not strictly true! If a business man/woman was truly brilliant then he/she would not want to go and work for Alan Sugar on a mere £100k per year. From what I have seen of the apprentice they have some of the countries best bullsh1tters and arse kissers IMHO

[Brian Turner]

Then they are obviously talented if that's all they have, yet one of them qualifies for a £100k salary.

[Natkits]

I love the show, it's one of the hugely entertaining programs I watch.

As has already been said, a great idea does not a great entrepreneur make; many of the 'contestants' really don't have a clue when it comes to business matters and those are the ones that the dragons take fullest advantage of. I can't believe some of the portions of their company that these people will cough up, they're huge!

By the way, was I the only one who thoroughly enjoyed the new guy, Richard Someoneorother joining the Dragons crew? He's great, happily undercutting other Dragons when he see's the opportunity. It's made even better of course as there previously seemed to be some sort of unwritten rule that they wouldn't do that to each other