August 2011
Dragons are
no threat for local companies
Some of Northern Ireland's leading
organisations have stepped into the Dragons' Den in their efforts
to raise a million pounds for The Prince’s Trust.
Each
company has been given a seed corn fund of £1,500, and using
their entrepreneurial skills they are aiming to turn that
investment into at least £10,000 over the next six months.
With almost 100 teams across the UK taking part in The Prince’s
Trust Million Maker Challenge the charity is aiming to raise £1m
for its work to support disadvantaged young people across the
UK.
Each of the teams pitched their money-making ideas to a panel
of Dragons, with ideas ranging from selling limited edition
prints by a leading artist, to talent shows and abseils.
Anna Moss, Managing Director and General Counsel
of Belfast Citi Markets and Banking was one of the local
Dragon’s who gave some advice to the local teams. She said:
This is a fantastic initiative. Million Maker
combines the fun of The Apprentice with the drama of facing the
Dragons' Den, whilst stretching and energising staff. It was
great to see so many people stepping up to the challenge of raising
money for The Prince’s Trust locally, and at the same time seeing a
real competition that combines personal development, skills
enhancement, networking and fun. I can’t wait to see how they
all get on.
The ten organisations in this year’s competition are Allstate
Northern Ireland, BNI Northern Ireland, Delta Print &
Packaging, Hewlett-Packard, Marks and Spencer, Northgate Managed
Services, Parker Green International, RSM McClure Watters,
ShredBank and Tughans.
Their task is to now run innovative, entrepreneurial and
ultimately successful team businesses over the next six months to
raise funds for The Trust. The team that raises the most money will
represent Northern Ireland in the national final in London next
March.
All the money raised will be used to give practical and
financial support to over 3,000 local young people who need it the
most, developing key workplace skills such as confidence and
motivation, enabling our young people to move into work, education
or training.