IT'S deadline day for those whishing to pitch their ideas to the panel of Dragons next Friday.For the past few months, Lowestoft teenage entrepreneur Ryan Holt felt that there were many young people within Waveney who have potential business ideas, but maybe not known where to take them or need some funding to fund their project.
IT'S deadline day for those whishing to pitch their ideas to the panel of Dragons next Friday.
For the past few months, Lowestoft teenage entrepreneur Ryan Holt felt that there were many young people within Waveney who have potential business ideas, but maybe not known where to take them or need some funding to fund their project.
The 15-year-old created the My Grand Idea, which is a similar concept to BBC's Dragons Den but the dragons would be local business people and each young person would be pitching to win a cash prize and guidance to get their idea off the ground.
The event, which is part of Global Entrepreneurship Week 2009, will give young people a chance to shine and get somewhere with their ideas.
Hazel Johnson, from Enterprise UK for the East of England, said: 'Young people, who would normally struggle to get funding because of their age, can get some funding to make their business idea a reality.'
My Grand Idea is hoped to help put Lowestoft on the map during Global Entrepreneurship Week 2009 and has the support from many local businesses such as Blue Lobster IT, Picture Studios, Screens Embroidery as well Graphics Matter who all think that it is important to support entrepreneurship within the town, and is one of the ways forward out of the recession.
The panel of dragons includes advertising guru Erika Clegg from Spring Advertising in Southwold, Journal editor Russell Cook, consultant businesswoman Beth Derks, Hazel Johnson from Enterprise UK and Ryan, who will be linking up at OrbisEnergy, in Wilde Street.
The teenager, who attends Benjamin Britten High School, said: 'My Grand Idea is intended to provide inspirational opportunities and get young people sharing their ideas and connecting with people as well as seeing their ideas go from paper to reality.'
There is still time to apply, simply log onto www.mygrandidea.co.uk to get an application form and drop it into OrbisEngery Centre before 5pm today.
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