Calling all entrepreneurs looking to make it big in the business world with a little or a lot of help from some investors with deep pockets.
Producers of popular CBC TV show Dragons’ Den are holding auditions in Victoria at the Inn at Laurel Point on Saturday (March 17), one of more than 40 audition stops on a cross-country tour.
Last year’s day-long event, held at the same location, attracted a bevy of creative minds with practical and quirky ideas, from smart-home technology to naughty gingerbread creations.
“It’s exciting for the city, not just for us, not just for the Dragons Den,” said Avril Matthews, director of marketing and sales for the Inn at Laurel Point. “It’s a favourite day here because you never know what’s going to come in the doors.”
At least one Victoria team of entrepreneurs who auditioned last year was invited to Toronto to pitch their product to the dragons, Kevin O’Leary, Jim Treliving, Arlene Dickinson, Robert Herjavec and Bruce Croxon.
Josh Mitchell and Jeremy Green presented Scufflinks - cufflinks for pant hems - to the powerful panel, but were shot down in the end. Still the pair were thrilled with the national exposure they received when the episode aired last fall.
An average of more than 1.3 million viewers watch the show every Wednesday night.
“This year again the panel of producers are looking for participants of all ages,” CBC said in a statement. “After a highly-rated ‘all-student’ special in (last year’s) season six, Dragons’ Den continues to seek young entrepreneurs who think they have the money-making chops to take on the savviest business tycoons in the country.”
Participants can also pitch their energy innovations at the audition, for the chance to become one of three finalists chosen to present their ideas to the dragons in a special “Future Now” episode that airs June 3.
The winner will receive $100,000 from Shell Canada to help them realize their dream.
The auditions happen Saturday (March 17), from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., at the Inn at Laurel Point, 680 Montreal St. For details, please visit www.cbc.ca/dragonsden/auditions.