Inside the Dragons' Den

Contest to Enter Season Two begins

Last week we annouced, that PROFIT magasine was running a contest.  You submit your "elevator pitch" and the best 3 earn the chance to pitch the Dragons on Season Two.

 

Well the first entries have started rolling in, and we need the ARMCHAIR DRAGON ARMY to help us rate them. Click over to: http://site.canadianbusiness.com/pitchForProfit/entryIndex.aspx?funding=1 and rate the pitches. 

Help us make Season Two even better than Season One! And for those you wondering what makes a great elevator pitch....watch this.....

Season Two annouced....

Still no word "officially" from CBC but my sources tell me an announcement regarding Dragons' Den Season Two may be made as early as mid February. 

On a related front, those looking to apply to be on Dragons' Den Season Two have an interesting opportunity to "get to the front of the line" through a contest the CBC is sponsoring with Profit magasine.

It is called the Pitch4Profit_contest and it started last Friday.

Entrepreneurs upload a 90 second elevator pitch (video or audio file), outlining what their business does and why its needed.  The 3 best pitches (as decided by viewers and judges) get a chance to pitch the Dragons during the tapping of DD:S2.

Even if CBC announces DD:S2 in February, auditions might not begin until April or May, this contest is therefore an easy way to guarantee you a chance to pitch the Dragons and to do so months ahead of the competition.

For more info, click over to www.CanadianBusiness.com/pitch4profit

3 new ways to raise capital in Canada

Raising capital isn't easy at the best of times, that's why I'm proud to announce three initiatives which should help aspiring entrepreneurs get in front of the investors:

1) Canadian Venture Forum

Now it its 7th year, this national financing forum, usually brings together more than 200 investors from a wide variety of capital sources (angles, US VCs, CDN VCs, etc.). Historically, more than 40% of companies who have presented at this event have gone on to raise capital. In total more than a billion dollars of private equity has gone into presenting companies.

This year there are three streams:

• Angel
• VC
• Public Venture Capital

Applications are open now but close in a few weeks, so if you are looking to raise capital, click over to www.CanadianVentureForum.ca and apply.

2) Speeddating for Capital

11 companies + 10 sources of capital + 9 minutes each

If you aren't sure how much capital you need or are just interesting in getting feedback on your venture, this event is for.  The 2nd Annual Speeddating for Capital is being brought to you by RBC and is a cost effective ($500 bucks to meet 10 investors) way to gauge interest in deal.

Click here for more: http://www.canadianventureforum.ca/Default.aspx?pageId=8429

3) Pitch4Profit

Canadian Business & Profit Magasine have launched and on line elevator pitch open to all entrepreneurs in Canada. All you do is load up a 90 sec elevator pitch (audio or video) and let the judges and audience vote on who the best deal is.

There are two streams and two prizes:

1. For those seeking less than a million - the 3 best pitches get a spot on Dragons' Den season two on CBC
2. For those seeking more than a million - the 3 best pitches get to participate in the Great Canadian Pitch Off at this year's Canadian Venture Forum.  A chance to get your pitch in front of 200+ investors.

You can apply for the Pitch4Profit here: www.canadianbusiness.com/pitch4profit

So what are you waiting for.....get applying!!!