Enter the Den to Help Isle of Wight YMCA

By Thomas Seal

The YMCA is inviting young budding entrepreneurs to apply for its new Isle of Wight's version of BBC Dragons’ Den before February 15.

Isle of Wight YMCA Futures is offering £1,000 seed money to groups of four or more who have a good idea for a social enterprise.

Group members must all be aged between 11 and 19 and their business idea must benefit an Island charity.

Quizzing the teams will be 'dragons’ including Isle of Wight County Press editor Alan Marriott, Betapak general manager Jon Carter, tourism consultant Simon Dabell, Island businessman David Edwards and area director for the YMCA Emma Corina.

Successful teams will each be appointed one of the dragons as a business mentor, who will help them put their ideas into practice.

SIX MONTHS

They will then have six months to raise money for their chosen charity, as well as trying to pay back the £1,000 seed cash — which is being provided by the Isle of Wight Council.

After the application deadline at midnight, February 14, the competition will launch on February 19 and the first Dragons’ Den event will happen a week later, on February 26.

Teams whose first pitches are unsuccessful will have two more chances to pitch later in the year.

Find suggestions for fundraising ideas and further information on the YMCA Futures website: http://tinyurl.com/IWCP-YMCA-FG.

Reproduced with acknowledgements to the Isle of Wight County Press.