Accelerate your startup at Seedcamp London 2011

Posted by on December 13, 2010 under Competitions | Be the First to Comment

Seedcamp London is a one day event aiming to connect the 20 best web-tech, mobile and software talent with some of the leading entrepreneurs, developers, and experts from the tech ecosystem. The event will be held at Nesta’s London premises.

As a team at Seedcamp London you will:

The deadline for applications is 12th January – apply now!

Funding Circle – peer to peer funding for startups

Posted by on December 7, 2010 under News | Read the First Comment

Funding Circle is an online marketplace where people can lend directly to small businesses in the UK, eliminating the high cost and complexity of banks. People get higher, stable returns for the long term and businesses get lower cost finance to expand and develop. A simple idea and an easy to use website which they hope can have a big impact.

If you are looking for funding for your business – or want to invest in other people’s businesses directly – check out Funding Circle today.

Video: David Langer (GroupSpaces) on product & customer development, marketing and raising finance

Posted by on October 26, 2010 under Videos | Be the First to Comment

Ideas & Product Development

Customer Development & Marketing

Raising Finance

Pitching to Investors

Want to be on Dragons’ Den?

Posted by on February 8, 2010 under Competitions | Be the First to Comment

Entrepreneurs from across the country once again have a chance to make their business dreams come true by appearing on Dragons’ Den. If you’re genuinely seeking investment for your business idea or invention, the BBC would like to hear from you.

Dragons’ Den is a challenging place to pitch, but it’s also a genuine business opportunity to secure investment. In the most recent series, 15 entrepreneurs accepted offers of investment in the Den and plenty more have gone on to find success even without the backing of the Dragons.

The rules are simple: entrepreneurs ask for a cash investment in return for equity in their business. However, they must get at least the amount they ask for or they will walk away with nothing. The Dragons are prepared to listen to a pitch for any kind of business but they must be convinced that it will make money.

As demonstrated by the investments in the last seven series, ideas, businesses and products that meet some or all of the following criteria stand a good chance of securing the Dragons’ interest:

  • A Unique Selling Point: a product that serves a need like nothing else.
  • Scalability: something that can be up scaled to make real money.
  • Route to Market: the clear way the product can be sold and marketed.
  • Mutually Beneficial Arrangement: just what will the Dragons get out of it?
  • Exit Strategy:  a plan of how the entrepreneur/Dragon will exit and make money.

The BBC is currently searching for Britain’s best entrepreneurs and will be auditioning throughout the coming months. We want to hear from anyone who thinks they’ve got what it takes to enter the Dragons’ Den.

If you would like an application form please send an e-mail to dragonsden@bbc.co.uk or visit www.bbc.co.uk/dragonsden