Dragons' Den goes back to school

BBC Two’s Dragons’ Den series is going back to the classroom in a bid to inspire the next generation of entrepreneurs across the north. Schools from Bolton, Bradford, Burnley, Lincoln and Sunderland will each be set a business challenge by one of the dragons. The year ten pupils will then work together to develop business plan by the end of June. Each group will then take the famous walk up the stairs to face the Dragons in their Den.

In a slight change to the usual show format, the school pupils won’t find out whether their pitch has been successful straight away. Instead, on 11 July, participants will be invited back to attend a special screening of Dragons’ Den at the BBC’s new home in the north, MediaCityUK in Salford Quays.

They’ll get the chance to see their performance in the den on the big screen and find out which of the dragon’s are ‘in’ and which are ‘out’. No money will be invested in the business propositions, but an award will be given for best idea and best pitch.

Peter Salmon, Director, BBC North said: “Dragons' Den has been one of the biggest success stories of the last decade for BBC Entertainment in Manchester and it's great we can use our flagship programmes to engage audiences of all ages.”

The schools will have until mid June to work up their idea with help from the Dragons’ Den team before they pitch them in the Den.

The scheme coincides with the launch of series nine of Dragons Den on BBC Two, with new Dragon Hilary Devey joining Theo Paphittis, Peter Jones, Deborah Meaden and Duncan Bannatyne.