These entrepreneur dragons are tame

Jan 29 2008 by Chris Knox, The Journal

BUDDING entrepreneurs in the Gateshead area are being asked to enter the “Dragons’ Den” with the help of a new mobile business advice service.

The vehicle, named Launch Pad, will help people hone their presentation skills and business plans in preparation for a Dragons’ Den-style event in March, which will see them attempting to sell their ideas to a panel of local business figures, including Dave Roberts, general manager at Benfield Motors and Jon Marshall, a partner at law firm Dickinson Dees.

The ‘Not All Dragons Bite’ scheme is the result of a two-month partnership between Gateshead Council and enterprise body The North-East Enterprise Bond and was launched at Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art a fortnight ago.

The one-to-one sessions, which will run between Dunston and Teams over the next two months, will include advice on a wide range of business areas, such as marketing, making contacts and legal issues.

North-East Enterprise Bond chief executive Diane Fisher-Naylor said: “We are delighted to be partnering Gateshead Council by providing a striking platform from which to encourage enterprise and support creative ideas within the community.”

Information from www.launchpadnortheast.org.