What is the Lions Den Competition?
The Lion’s Den competition is derived from the biblical story of Daniel in the lion’s den and can be compared to the BBC’s reality television series, Dragon’s Den. The idea of The Lion’s Den is to provide entrepreneurs and business owners in the local community the opportunity to develop the knowledge, skills and experience required to successfully run a business and obtain the investment to implement or grow their business.Competition Selection Process
There are 3 stages to the competition:
1. Fill in the application form, which you can download here and email ubleec@gmail.com by the application deadline of 5pm on 28th April 2013
2. Applicants who make it to the Semi-final will have to pitch to a panel of judges on 11th May 2013, 4 applicants will then be selected to go on to the live final.
3. The last stage is the Lion’s Den Live final which will be held as part of the LOUD conference on 1st June 2013 where finalist will pitch to the Lions and one applicant will be selected as the winner of the Lions Den competition 2013.
Lion's Den Finalist's
Daniel Stone with The In Sight Project
The In Sight project offering Birmingham state school students of all backgrounds and abilities, an insight into opportunities beyond secondary education, equip students with the skills needed to flourish in a high pressured working environment and providing them with the opportunity to demonstrate these skills.
Faith Tapfumaneyi with Swag101
Swag101 tshirts with Christian and everyday quotes that people use.
Michael Wedderburn with Alexco London
Alexco London is a handmade luxury British cosmetics company, selling luxury shower creams, soap bars, body moisturisers and oil based fragrances.
Talisha Johnson with Skool Girl
Selection Criteria
Below are the key criteria that will be used to judge applicants:
- The business idea must be viable
- Your business idea must be unique and/or have a clearly defined competitive advantage. Your idea/ business can be within any industry.
- You must be able to articulate and explain your idea verbally and in writing
- You must be motivated and have a hunger to succeed
- You must be open to support and feedback with a willingness to use feedback to make improvements
- You must be able to pitch your idea, in a clear concise and confident manner
- You must be willing to sign up to The Enterprise Academy Charter