Can you impress in the local Dragon’s Den?

The event will see five local graduate entrepreneurs pitching their business ideas in a bid to win the £1000 investment. The Fly or Die event is based on the concept of the Dragon’s Den, where business people deliver a sales pitch to successful business owners (or Dragons) in order to secure funding for their business. The event is part of the Lisburn & Castlereagh Council’s Graduate Into Business Programme, which offers a range of mentoring support to graduate entrepreneurs. The programme is delivered through Lisburn Enterprise Organisation (LEO). Aisling Owens, CEO of Lisburn Enterprise Organisation, commented: “This event has received fantastic reviews with people signing up to the event before it has been scheduled. “This is our last Fly or Die event as part of this programme and it promises to be entertaining, enthralling and nail biting” Five lucky graduates will have the opportunity to deliver their sales pitch to a panel of three local Dragons and face some tough questioning about their business. The panel is made up of local successful business people who will judge the entrepreneurs on originality, financial viability and Entrepreneurial spirit. Dragon for the event Alderman Allan Ewart, Chairman of Lisburn City Council’s Economic Development Committee, commented: “In these challenging times for small businesses, our local graduates are leading the way and providing inspiration for all. “New ideas, innovation, and emerging trends are all providing our graduates with ways in which they can drive their business forward. “I’m looking forward to challenging the graduates on their business idea and recognising their efforts with the award of £1000.” The remaining panel of Dragons consist of Denise Watson, sports journalist and media consultant and Andrew Robinson, Managing Director of Boomer Industries, a leading plastics extrusion company based in Lisburn. Graduate into Business is part financed by Lisburn City & Castlereagh Council, Invest Northern Ireland and the European Regional Development Fund under the Sustainable Competitiveness Programme for Northern Ireland. Fly Or Die, will take place on the 26th May from 12noon in the Studio Theatre, Lagan Valley Island and is open for members of the public to attend. To register for the Fly or Die event, contact Aisling by emailing aisling@lisburn-enterprise.co.uk or telephone Tracey on 02892 661160