Aspiring entrepreneurs from the region pitched their business ideas to a panel of judges in the hope of scooping a prize worth £100,000.
Mimicking the hit BBC TV programme Dragons’ Den, the ‘Achieve Your Dream in 2014’ competition was organised by The HUB Partnership, based at Aycliffe Business Park.
It was open to any company of any kind – existing or start-up – with the winner bagging a package of services including office space, marketing and social media strategies, training, PR and mentoring support to develop a strategic growth plan.
Ten entries were shortlisted to three, who ‘pitched’ their idea to the judges and faced a grilling in the final part of the competition.
The HUB Partnership consists of Growth Capital Ventures director Craig Peterson, Au Fait Business and Marketing director Rachel Townsend Green, Harlands Accountants MD Glyn Davison, Echo Graphics creative director Johnny Woods and Mantis Media director Martin Walker.
The ‘Dragons’ listened to presentations from three existing businesses including Bryce Wilcock, from Ryhope, with a clothing company called SX Clothing; John Armstrong, from Gateshead, with Operation Fitness; and Clare Owen and Phillip Pringle from Durham-based Lostbox Ltd.
“We were blown away by the quality of all three presentations and it’s pretty clear we have a very difficult decision to make,” said Craig.
“All businesses involved in the project want to give something back and help an aspiring entrepreneur on the road to achieving something spectacular, and all three business models have the potential to do that. We look forward to working with one of them but it’s going to be a tough call.”
