19 May 2016
By Bryan T. Smyth
bryan@TheCork.ie
Cork people to watch on TV!
What: Dragons’ Den
When: Sunday 21st May 2016 9.30pm
Where: RTÉ One TV
Current health and wellbeing food trends have dominated the food pitches in the Den so far this year. The rush to bring gluten-free products to market, from the supermarket brand leaders to artisan producers has increased dramatically. Our first entrepreneur into the Den believes his is the best. Walter Ryan Purcell moved with his family to West Cork 10 years ago and noticed a gap in the gluten free bread market whilst running his stall at the English Market in Cork. Walter’s dedication for perfection has brought him to the Den today.
Walter Ryan Purcell
Sometimes the success of one business can lead entrepreneurs to develop a similar product but for a completely different type of ‘customer’. With Ireland’s pet food industry worth an annual 150 million euro – Robbie Early and Jamie Fennessy have brought an unusual product to the Dragons. Will they be able to convince the Dragons that pet lovers will fork out an extra €30 per month to supplement their pets’ diet?
Partners in business and life Leitrim couple John Farrell and Sadie O’Hara know they are the best people for the job – whatever the job. They believe FixLits.ie takes the hassles out of home maintenance. But will the Dragons agree?
Many educators aspire to create a learning environment that encourages students to explore their full range of abilities and opportunities. A secondary school teacher for over ten years, Monaghan born Paul Kelly is seeking €60,000 for 10% share in Homeschool.ie – an online teaching platform that gives Junior and Leaving Certificate student’s access to video lessons from the comfort and safety of their own home.
This eight part series will see a host of original and unique ideas pitched to the Dragons with everything from food, fashion, beauty, fitness, education and journalism. But will the Dragons invest? And if more than one Dragon is interested who will come out on top? The Dragons have turned up the heat in the Den and are ready to go head to head to secure the best investments.
The seventh series of Dragons’ Den has also seen the highest percentage of female entrepreneurs in the history of the show. Huge evidence that the entrepreneurial spirit is alive and well and with over €930k invested this series promises to deliver some great Irish success stories!
Dragons’ Den will be broadcast for eight weeks from Sunday 17th April until Sunday 5th June 2016.
Dragons’ Den, sponsored by Emirates Airlines is produced by Screentime ShinAwil for RTÉ.
