Budding entrepreneurs in the Outdoor Capital of the UK are being invited to enter the “Dragons’ Glen” in a bid to win £8,500 worth of support for their business idea.
This is the second year the competition – inspired by the popular TV show – has been held by Lochaber Chamber of Commerce and the team behind Lochaber Ideas Week, which runs from November 17 to 21.
Last year’s winner, Anne Widdop, of Fuze Ceremonies, is encouraging aspiring business people to take advantage of this opportunity.
She explained that her winnings enabled her business, which offers Scottish wedding packages and other event planning services, to develop its “Home-coming” ceremonies.
She said: “The prize fund contributed to employing a graduate and has enabled us to develop a website, which I could not have done without winning this event.”
The competition is open to anyone over the age of 16, with an idea for starting up or developing a business in Lochaber. Business proposals must be submitted by September 8.
The top six contestants will then be asked to present their business plan to an audience and the Dragons on October 6.
And the three best entrants will go through to the final, which will be held on November 19, during Lochaber Ideas Week, which runs from November 17 to 21.
Finalists will be invited to pitch their plans to the expert panel, who will listen carefully, ask probing questions and pick a winner to receive £1,000 worth of web design, support and hosting from Lamont Design, one-year membership with Lochaber Chamber of Commerce and a £7,500 cash prize, awarded by local charity the West Coast Communities Growth Trust.
The 2014 panel of Dragons include west coast fisherman Finlay Finlayson, who owns the world-class Underwater Centre in Fort William and Tasmania. He also operates Crannog Cruises and owns Crannog Restaurant.
Other judges are Alasdair Ferguson, of Spean Bridge-based Ferguson Transport, Anja Baak, of Roy Bridge-based Great Glen Charcuterie, and businessman Angus MacDonald, who grew up in Glencoe and has strong family connections to Lochaber.
Will Rowland, of Lochaber Ideas Week, said: “The Dragons Glen is a fantastic opportunity for any budding entrepreneur operating in Lochaber with either a viable and potentially profitable new business idea or looking to develop their young business.”