Local kids advance in Junior Dragon's Den competition
By Contributor
The Third West Kootenay- Boundary Junior Dragons Den business competition, took place April 21 at the Charles Bailey Theatre in Trail. The event saw 14 youth businesses from Grand forks to Nakusp, vying for dominance as they pitched their wares to a panel of local Dragons (aka. ‘the judges’) in front of a live audience.
Competing in three different divisions, Junior (Grades 8-10), Senior (Grades 11-12) and College/ University, competitors had two minutes to pitch to the judges, following the airing of a short promotional video which had been produced for the competition, highlighting their business or business concept.
“This year’s regional championship was very fast paced, and all competitors did very well,” stated Don Freschi, general manager at CFDC Greater Trail. “And although we had some minor technical issues, which were quickly resolved, all competitors rose to the challenge, representing themselves, their businesses, communities and schools flawlessly.”
The West Kootenay Boundary competition is now one of three regional qualifying competitions, all of which ladder into the Kootenay-wide Junior Dragons Den championship, which takes place May 7, back at the Charles Bailey Theatre, as part of Trail’s Silver City Days celebration.
And the winners were:
Junior division (Grade 8-10)
1st- Will Watt, Firestove, Stanley Humphries Secondary
2nd place- Aaron Finke, Peter Grant, Avadrone, J.L. Crowe
3rd place – Emily Stewart, Critter Care, Grandforks Secondary
Senior Division (Grade 11-12)
1st place – Sam Zerrath, Cailan McQuair, Brianna McCoy, Bill Gao, EZ Light Tinder Blocks, Nakusp Secondary
2nd place – Rolly blade Tri-Flasher, Rennee Goodman, Abby Boswell, Cameron Olsen, Bryce Friedenberger, Nakusp Secondary
3rd place – Simply Fresh, Vanessa Ford, Stanley Humphries Secondary
College/ University Division
Jesse Chan- Stay Wrapped Guitar Products, Selkirk College
Maxwell Nicholson, Craft Crate, University of Victoria
Catherine Musgrave, Scholarshare, University of Victoria
The prize money awarded to the winners must be used to expand an existing business, launch a new business, or go toward tuition for post secondary education. The first-, second- and third-place finalists from all divisions automatically advance to compete in the Junior Dragons Den Kootenay Championships, May 7 at the Charles Bailey Theatre. Doors open at 5:30 p.m., the show starts at 6 p.m., and tickets are $5 at the door, the proceeds from which go to the Junior Dragons Den scholarship fund.
