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Future entrepreneurs meet a dragon

DRAGON’S Den star Duncan Bannatyne was in the region earlier this week to judge business pitches from some of Tees Valley’s budding entrepreneurs.

In conjunction with Young Enterprise North East (YENE), BBC North East and Cumbria, four groups of students aged between 16 and 18 from schools across Teesside were invited to pitch their own business ideas to the fiery dragon.

Judges also included YENE chief executive Catherine Marchant and Phil Roberts, head of BBC North East and Cumbria Phil Roberts.

Duncan Bannatyne said: “My fellow judges and I have been greatly inspired by the students themselves and by the standard of their business ideas.

“All of the students had potential to enter the real dragon’s den and get investment.

“We have some great budding entrepreneurs here in the North East and this is a sign of positive things to come for the region.”

Young Enterprise North East chief executive Catherine Marchant added: “It is great to have had the opportunity to work with Duncan Bannatyne and the BBC, who have given the students valuable insights on how they can develop their business ideas and motivate them for future business success.

“Receiving sound business advice from a truly successful entrepreneur from our region is a wonderful experience for these young people.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .