Tags: Dragons Den 2011, Economy, Enterprise Ireland, Networking, Sean Gallagher

If you are based in or around Galway make sure you check out this great event, organised by one of our Contributors, Caroline McDonagh, and Developing Enterprises Skillsnet. ‘Breathe Fire into your Business – A Dragons Perspective’ with Sean Gallagher takes place in the Clayton Hotel, Galway from 6.30pm to 8.30pm on Tuesday May 10th. Attendance is free but you must register by emailing developingenterprisesskillnet@gmail.com The event will focus on the challenges that businesses in the Border, Midlands & Western region are experiencing in today’s harsh economic climate. As an entrepreneur Gallagher understands the challenges of setting up and growing a successful business in Ireland. He is a  [...]
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Tags: Dragons Den 2011, Dragons Den On Tour, Dragons’ Den

After 10 exciting weeks Dragons' Den drew to a close on Sunday with the second instalment of the Dragons on Tour. The show opened with the Dragons talking about how the 'new' Dragon, Norah Casey, got on in her first series. Norah definitely had no problems keeping the lads under control in the Den and proved to be a worthy adversary when it came to getting the deals that she wanted! John Joyce of SavvyBear impressed all of the Dragons so much that he caused something of a bidding war! Gavin showed his devious nature when he challenged John’s credentials! John quickly put Gavin in his place and Norah absolutely cut him down with her offer leaving a very sulky Dragon! Norah and John are getting on very well and the business is moving forward. Norah says that she ‘loves working in business because every now and then a little gem comes along to make it all worthwhile.’ Let’s hope that Savvy Bear is that gem for Norah. read more

Tags: Dragons Den 2011, Entrepreneur, Norah Casey, Savvy Bear

From start to finish my experience on the Dragons Den 2011 was fantastic and something that I would recommend to any entrepreneur looking for investment and guidance. From the moment that I met the production team right up until securing the investment I had the time of my life! Even though the experience was hugely fulfilling walking into the Den was the single most nerve wracking thing I have ever done. There is no way to describe how it feels waiting outside the Den for the producer to call you in to face the Dragons. Pitching your business to an investor is never easy but it is a whole different ball game when you add in the lights, cameras and action of the Dragons Den set. As soon as you are given your cue all of that madness disappears and it is down to business. You really just focus on the read more

Tags: dragons, Dragons Den 2011, Dragons Den On Tour

With another season of Dragons' Den behind them the Dragons are on tour. They are taking the chance to head out on the road and find out how some of their previous investments are doing and the ones that got away! First up is Tim Rooney and his company Surf Seeds, an old Den favourite. Back in 2009 Tim received the highest investment ever on Dragons’ Den! Bobby Kerr and Sean Gallagher bought 10% each of Surf Seeds for €100,000. Sean took the short trip to Dun Laoghaire to see how Tim was spending his €50,000.  Tim revealed how different Bobby and Sean were to work with, Bobby an earlier riser would be on the phone to him at 6 am while Sean likes to work until all hours of the morning! The Dragons are certainly working this entrepreneur hard. But it is paying off; from 30 stores in 2009 Surf Seeds is now in over 600 stores nationwide and has expanded overseas. This was definitely a winning investment for Sean, Bobby and Tim. See an Exclusive Video with Tim read more

Tags: Dragons Den, Dragons Den 2011

While this series of Dragons' Den is now closed for business for the next two Sundays Dragons' Den will be on tour! The Dragons will be touring all over Ireland checking up on the Den's success stories,  the failures and the ones that got away. One of the entrepreneurs featured in this episode is Surf Seeds owner Tim Rooney who secured the largest ever investment of €100,000 from Dragons Sean Gallagher and Bobby Kerr in Series 2.  Will the Dragons feel their investment was worth it or will they have some tough words for fun loving Tim?

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Tags: Dragons Den, Dragons Den 2011, Live comments stream

On Sunday nights, the Dragons from Dragons Den have been joining us for a live chat on the comment stream www.allaboutbusiness.ie/denlive to discuss the entrepreneur's pitches during the show. Last Sunday, Niall O’Farrell joined us for a Q&A session after the show from 10.30pm – 11pm where he answered your questions! For anyone that missed this interactive session on Sunday night, we have all the questions and Niall’s answers below! Question via All_about_biz: What did you think of this pitch (The Amphibia Bag)? Niall O’Farrell: I really believe in Adrian and the brand. Very pleased with The Amphibia Bag investment. We are now in 80 shops around Ireland. Up from 20 since filming. Question via StartInnovating: Why does only one black tie do custom made suits, I don’t live on the south side read more

Tags: Dragons Den, Dragons Den 2011, Episode Summary

We've come to the last day in the Den for series three. So far we have seen giant bumble bees, grown men in drag, mythological dolls and milkshakes to name but a few! But there is still time for the last six hopefuls to convince the Dragons to part with their cash. First up, Mandy O’Rorke with her business BabyBay.ie. Baby Bay similar to eBay is a website where members can trade unwanted baby clothes and goods. Back in episode one we saw John Joyce and his website Savvy Bear win over the Dragons and he left the Den with a whopping €80,000! Mandy went into the Den hoping for the same outcome. She gave a confident and comprehensive pitch that made the Dragons sit up and take notice. Niall O’Farrell opened up the questioning and when he delved further into the business he found Mandy’s membership figures weren’t as good as first perceived. Mandy’s reluctance to explain her figures wasn’t winning her over with any of the Dragons. Gavin interpreted Mandy’s business as goi  [...]
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Tags: Bobby Kerr, charity, Dragons Den 2011, Habitat for Humanity, Insomnia, Zambia

Bobby Kerr is off to Zambia on behalf of Habitat for Humanity with a team of 10 on Wednesday! The team will work on a local house building scheme and have set a target of €50k for their fundraising endeavours. Bobby and the team will be working on a house building project for a local family caring for AIDS orphans. They will be helping some of the most impoverished people in the world, in a spirit of partnership, empowerment and dignity. The link below contains more information and also allows anyone to donate to the campaign. http://www.mycharity.ie/event/bobbyker  [...]
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Tags: All About Business, Chat to the Dragons, Dragons Den 2011, Dragons Den RTE, Gavin Duffy, Live comments stream, Series Three

Gavin Duffy joined us on allaboutbusiness.ie/denlive for a live Q&A after the Dragons' Den show on Sunday 3rd of April. For anyone that missed this interactive session on Sunday night, we have all the questions and Gavin’s answers below! Question from mrsrudden: Hi Gavin, how far would you go to publicise a product that's not on the market yet? Gavin Duffy: Teaser ads come from big budget companies who can afford it. The rest of us should wait until we are ready to go Question from JMcCormac: Are the Irish Dragons looking for SME type opportunities or ones that can scale well internationally? read more

Tags: BeautyTeam.ie, BundleBee, Dermot Heffernan, Dragons Den 2011, Grooming Kennel, Heated Seat, John Burke, Martin Commins, Reasons4Rhymes, Sarah Jane Hanton, Surviving Santa Ponsa

This week's episode of Dragons' Den had an interesting and varied batch of pitches presented to the Dragons! From grown men in drag, to a giant blue bee, to an electric chair this week really had something for everyone! The first pitch, Surviving Santa Ponsa, will go down in the books as one of the most entertaining in Dragons’ Den history! The two entrepreneurs, Pakie and Frank, were in the Den to present their stage show to the Dragons. Their entrance into the Den dressed fully in drag caused a stir with the Dragons who were reduced to tears…of laughter! There was nothing funny about their business, and impressed by their profits, the Dragons all invested. The final outcome was a 5 way equal split of the €20k asked for with the Dragons taking a mere 5% each. read more