Dragon's Den 2017: Puna Kawa, Otago Polytechnic

By Thomas Weidling | Posted: Thursday September 14, 2017

Each of the student businesses (some were sole-preneurs;  others formed a team) were invited to the Dragon's Den to make a five minute pitch to the panel.  The premise was to 'sell' their business to a group of potential investors; to present the big "Why" and the 'how' of their business, and persuade the experts that they have the drive and the vision to take their business to the next level. 

Following the pitch, the judges had five minutes to ask questions which gave another opportunity for the student businesses to  go into more depth about their business plan, as well as receive feedback and advice from the business experts.

While this process of pitching a business idea can seem daunting initially, there had been time for practice during the workshops.  Also, a good rapport had already built up between the students and most of the judges,  so the intention of the Den was not to be too ferocious ("dragons" they are not!) but provide food for thought and material to expand a good idea and plan.

The quality of the candidates was high for this version of Dragon's Den making it difficult for the Judges - Steve Silvey, David Frame, Bill Munro, Jono Aldridge, Andrew Whiley and Joel Tyndall - to allocate their marks.  But eventually, the results were amalgamated and the winners over several categories were decided.  Announcements on the best business pitches were held over until the Audacious Awards Evening  on September 19th (separate article follows). 

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