Youngsters Get Taste For Enterptise In Dragon’s Den

19/6/09

YORKSHIRE Bank’s Financial Solutions Centre in Manchester has been helping youngsters learn about the world of enterprise after hosting a Dragon’s Den style business finance event.

Pupils from Cedar Mount and St Peter’s High Schools, Manchester, were mentored by Yorkshire Bank staff on how to analyse the strengths and weaknesses of different business ventures and then come up with a sales pitch, which they then had to present to ‘potential investors’ at the bank.

The event was held as part of the Give & Gain Talent Exchange organised by Business in the Community and held at City of Manchester Stadium.

Pupils sought ‘£100,000 of funding’ for an electronic student calendar and ‘£50,000’ to create a drama workshop franchise business. They then negotiated with the Yorkshire Bank dragons, including senior partners Paul Nielsen and Ian Walkden, over how much equity the dragons would get in return for their investment.

Paul Nielsen, senior partner at Yorkshire Bank, said: “We were all very impressed with the energy and enthusiasm of the students, many of whom showed natural entrepreneurial flair.

“This was a great learning experience as the pupils had to be analytical, creative and shrewd, as well as practicing their presentation skills by pitching to potential investors, just like they would in the real world. This experience will certainly help them as they prepare to enter the world of work and further study.”

Five other companies took part in the talent exchange with around 100 pupils from learning about enterprise, personal finance, communication skills and climate change.