Young entrepreneurs enter ‘Dragon’s Den’ to pitch new business ideas

Vegan meats, seaweed health drinks, educational software and not-for-profit schemes to help the homeless – these were some of the sectors targeted by young entrepreneurs seeking to launch innovations of their own.

The 24 young entrepreneurs completing the Explore Enterprise course were keen to refine their ideas where they could pitch to panels. RBC volunteers entered the ‘Dragon’s Den’ to offer guidance and encouragement as they listened how these carefully-planned business proposals would ignite and take flight.

Over 40 young people attended employability and enterprise courses hosted by RBC’s charitable partner, The Prince’s Trust. Participants were guided through CV-writing and interview technique exercises by over 20 RBC volunteers from different parts of the bank.

“The staff at RBC are absolutely genuine in their approach to educating young people. They were enthusiastic and their advice and tips for interviews and CVs gave many of us, familiar and unfamiliar with interview practice, a fresh perspective,” comments Anthony, one of the participants.

“I would describe today as a fun and practical skills session. We were given the opportunity to network, gain advice from professionals and work 1-to-1 on our CVs. This is a session I would do again”, adds Shaniqua, one of the participants.

Volunteering his experience in one of the workshops, Jon Ford, managing director of RBC’s Central Funding Group says, “My workshop group consisted of an aspiring sound engineer, an estate agent, a football coach, a farm hand and a pet shop clerk. It soon became obvious how eager the young people were to learn.”

“I had four incredibly creative minds in my group with four unique and impressive business ideas. With the guidance of our volunteers, the ideas should evolve into clear-cut business plans and eventually successful enterprises.” 

Emma Glanville, Prince’s Trust Executive for the East of London, was delighted with the outcome: “The energy from the volunteers and young people was tangible! Thank you to RBC for supporting our budding entrepreneurs at this early stage of their journey.” 

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