Up-and-coming entrepreneurs are more inspired by television programmes such as The Apprentice and Dragon’s Den than higher education, new research suggests.
Figures from Shell Livewire - an organisation designed to help 16-30 year-olds start up their own business - revealed that 70 per cent of would-be entrepreneurs found TV shows more inspirational than their university degree. …continue reading the story
called TV Shows ‘Inspiring Entrepreneurs’
Oxford student Thomas Whitfield’s proposal to create an “online timeline” has received the full backing of the notoriously hard-to-please panel of Dragon’s Den.
The judges were “blown away” by Mr Whitfield’s idea, the premise of which involves creating a website with a virtual timeline that details not only the past but also has space to record future events. …continue reading the story
called Dragon’s Den ‘Blown Away’ by Oxford Student’s Pitch
Mini CV
- Founded a tennis academy at age 16
- Ran Siemens Nixdorf’s UK computer business
- Started Phones International Group in 1998
- Appears regularly on television and owns a portfolio of assets
Millionaire Peter Jones is one of the business minds on BBC television show Dragon’s Den and has interests in the mobile telecommunications, leisure, media and property sectors. …continue reading the story
called Peter Jones - Dragon’s Den Special
Mini CV
- From a poor background
- Started in the ice cream van business at 31
- Built up The Bannatyne Group from scratch
- Has an OBE and appears on BBC show Dragon’s Den
Duncan Bannatyne is one of the judges on BBC television series Dragon’s Den and owns a string of health clubs, casinos, housing developments, hotels and bars across the UK.
The stern Scot comes from a poor background in Clydebank, but has worked his way up to become on of the UK’s top business leaders. …continue reading the story
called Duncan Bannatyne - Dragon’s Den Special
Mini CV
- Studied at business college and set up glass and ceramics export company after leaving
- Started one of the UK’s first Stefanel franchises.
- Managed family’s holiday mark business, Weststar Holidays, before selling it for £33 million
- Appears on Dragon’s Den in order to identify new investment opportunities
Deborah Meaden is a British millionairess and appears as one of the straight-talking Dragon in BBC television series Dragon’s Den. …continue reading the story
called Deborah Meaden - Dragon’s Den Special
Mini CV
- Born in Australia
- Years working in the financial and derivatives market
- One of the world’s top private investors
- Has owned a stake in numerous technology start-ups
Australian-born entrepreneur Richard Farleigh is one of the eponymous Dragons, in the BBC television series Dragon’s Den.
The 45-year-old was born in Kyabram, Victoria, Australia, as one of 11 children of an alcoholic sheep shearer. He was fostered at the age of three and had a tough upbringing. …continue reading the story
called Are You The Next Richard Farleigh Entrepreneur?
Mini CV
- Came to the UK from Cyprus in 1966 aged six
- Started as a tea boy at Lloyds of London
- Purchased the Ryman stationery chain from receivers in 1995 for £5 million
- Has turned around Millwall Football Club, La Senza, Contessa, Ryman and Partners the Stationers
Theo Paphitis is a 47-year-old Greek Cypriot millionaire who has made his huge fortune through turning around companies in the UK.
…continue reading the story
called Theo Paphitis - Dragon’s Den Special
Mini CV
- Began his career as a stage designer for rock concerts
- Moved into television production
- Set up first YO! Sushi restaurant in 1997
- Sold controlling stake for £10 million in 2003 Awarded OBE in 2006
Is there a less typical millionaire business entrepreneur than Simon Woodroffe? The former rock concert stage designer and current owner of multimillion restaurant chain YO! Sushi only started up his business career proper after he turned 40. As one of the most charismatic and slightly off-the-wall dragons in the BBC’s Dragon’s Den, he is always ready to speak his mind, but also the willingness to give a good idea a try. …continue reading the story
called Simon Woodroffe - Dragon’s Den Special
Dragon’s Den is a BBC series that seeks to find the next big entrepreneur. The lucky - or sometimes unlucky - individual must face five ‘dragons’ in a room whereby they pitch an idea in order to hopefully gain the desired investment for their business venture.
…continue reading the story
called Are You The Next UK Entrepreneur? - A Guide to Dragons’ Dens
