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In preparing themselves to make a deal, entrepreneurs improve their skills and hone their talents. Whether or not the deal succeeds, entrepreneurs benefit from the deal experience. From the moment they set out to find investors for their business, entrepreneurs... Read More »
Posted on Apr 4, 2011 11:02:42 AM
The season is winding down, and we are getting ready for summer break. On that note, let me give you some summer reading. Here are five books you can read while you wait for next fall's next season. 1. The... Read More »
Posted on Apr 1, 2011 7:00:00 AM
Before a deal closes, entrepreneurs and investors face a number of critical decisions. The outcome of the deal depends not only on these decisions but also on the way they're executed. Several months may pass between a verbal agreement between... Read More »
Posted on Mar 28, 2011 10:31:19 AM
Entrepreneurs may know what they want to do with their businesses, but they might not always know how or the best way. For that, they need the help and expertise of qualified advisers. According to many successful entrepreneurs, good advice... Read More »
Posted on Mar 14, 2011 3:13:35 PM
Last week, I became engaged and with such I began contemplating the wonderful, intense marriage road ahead. This week, my venture firm invested $50,000 in a new project and began the wonderful, intense startup road ahead. So it should... Read More »
Posted on Mar 11, 2011 10:43:48 AM
After several years of economic turbulence, indicators of the future remain volatile and unpredictable. But even in the midst of this uncertainty, entrepreneurs still have to plan for their companies' future success. Even as economists proclaim that the recession has... Read More »
Posted on Mar 7, 2011 7:00:00 AM
On February 15, over 300 west-coast entrepreneurs and small business owners had the rare opportunity to invest in an evening with Dragon Jim Treliving and the owners of two B.C. businesses who succeeded in sealing deals on this year's season... Read More »
Posted on Mar 4, 2011 1:27:15 PM
At any stage of a business, entrepreneurs and investors should ask questions and listen closely to the responses. As journalist and Dragons' Den host Dianne Buckner observes, businesses operate on information, and entrepreneurs and investors can never get enough. Good... Read More »
Posted on Feb 28, 2011 7:00:00 AM
An entrepreneur faces a new set of challenges and opportunities when she closes a deal with investors. As successful Dragons' Den participant Barb Steggeman observes, the deal itself is just the beginning. Even before they can successfully attract investors, entrepreneurs... Read More »
Posted on Feb 22, 2011 10:41:45 AM
Dealing with unfamiliar distributors or suppliers in unfamiliar places involves risk, whether they operate from another street, another city or another country. Entrepreneurs who address the risk effectively can add value to their own business and to the business of... Read More »
Posted on Feb 15, 2011 11:01:35 AM
There's no question that consumers look closely at a company's green credentials. But as Dragon Arlene Dickinson observes, even the most environmentally conscious business still has to deliver good value at a competitive price. Over the last decade, environmental awareness... Read More »
Posted on Feb 7, 2011 11:30:00 AM
In a tight financial market, entrepreneurs have a harder time than ever raising capital. As Dragon Arlene Dickinson observes, the best entrepreneurs know when to persevere in the face of financial challenges. But they also know when to walk away.... Read More »
Posted on Jan 31, 2011 10:38:32 AM
At each stage of a company's business cycle, an entrepreneur needs to know how to maximize value. As Dragon Jim Treliving observes, value may depend on different factors at different stages, but the fundamentals never change. Every company faces... Read More »
Posted on Jan 24, 2011 7:00:00 AM
Companies need money before they can expand, and money takes time to accumulate. As Dragon Jim Treliving observes, a company may choose a faster path to expansion through franchising or licensing. Franchising and licensing offer ways to expand a... Read More »
Posted on Jan 17, 2011 7:00:00 AM
A verbal deal with investors, partners or purchasers may end in disappointment if the business doesn't live up to their expectations. As Dragon Jim Treliving observes, an entrepreneur needs hard data to keep a deal alive. Entrepreneurs can improve their... Read More »
Posted on Jan 14, 2011 1:00:00 PM
Entrepreneurs have to decide when to step back and hand over management of their business to a professional. As Dragon Jim Treliving observes, the right professional managers can add value and take the business to the next level. Entrepreneurs may... Read More »
Posted on Jan 10, 2011 9:51:01 AM
This week's question comes from Jon Atlas of Edmonton. Jon asks "What's skin in the game?" As you might guess, investment is an industry onto itself; an industry which has its own language and terms. "Skin in the game" is... Read More »
Posted on Nov 26, 2010 7:00:00 AM
Investors look as closely at the person as they do at the business when they make an investment decision. Entrepreneurs can often land a better deal if they present the right qualities to investors. Entrepreneurs may spend weeks preparing... Read More »
Posted on Nov 15, 2010 2:48:38 PM
Entrepreneurs might invent the next best technology, but unless they find a market for their product or service, they still don't have a business. As Dragon Kevin O'Leary explains, building a commercially viable business is more important than the features... Read More »
Posted on Nov 1, 2010 1:14:32 PM
To raise capital, an entrepreneur has to present tangible evidence to show that a business will succeed. Dragon Kevin O'Leary explains what else he looks for before he considers financing any entrepreneur. In deciding to support any entrepreneur, investors look... Read More »
Posted on Oct 25, 2010 9:42:28 AM
Entrepreneurs make sacrifices as they follow their passion to innovate and build a successful business from nothing. Yet as Dragon Robert Herjavec observes, they also have to assess their prospects realistically and remember that their family's financial stability comes first.... Read More »
Posted on Oct 18, 2010 8:28:19 AM
Producers and Staff from Dragon's Den will be participating in Small Business Forum 2010 in Toronto on Tuesday October 19th at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre. The event, which is being run by Enterprise Toronto, features over 2,000 entrepreneurs, prospective... Read More »
Posted on Oct 13, 2010 1:40:07 PM
In periods of financial and commercial distress, entrepreneurs who can no longer tap conventional sources of financing may find other financing opportunities. Join Dragon Robert Herjavec in exploring liquidity and financing options for today's market. In the midst of volatile... Read More »
Posted on Oct 4, 2010 1:00:00 PM
Business is inherently risky, so investors look for entrepreneurs who can manage it properly. All companies take calculated risks in order to grow. Some of these risks can threaten a company's profitability or even its survival. Entrepreneurs who intend to... Read More »
Posted on Sep 27, 2010 8:59:14 AM
Even when new capital is required, entrepreneurs often feel reluctant to relinquish control of their company. But without capital, their business may not succeed. Listen to Dialogue in the Den to learn more about the pros and cons of selling... Read More »
Posted on Sep 20, 2010 10:52:28 AM
Most people regard bankruptcy as failure. Yet it may be the only choice for a business that suffers an irreversible turn in its finances. Listen to Dialogue in the Den to see if there’s opportunity after bankruptcy. When an entrepreneur... Read More »
Posted on Mar 1, 2010 9:00:00 AM
Each season, I ask The Dragons for tips they would like to pass along to the pitchers. The late Laurence Lewin, a brilliant Dragon from the first two seasons, shared the following wisdom, “It is not up to me to... Read More »
Posted on Feb 5, 2010 2:03:28 PM
A business plan is a critical tool to building and establishing a long-term business. It’s also a tool for promoting a business to potential investors, partners, suppliers and even employees. A comprehensive business plan includes many different components –... Read More »
Posted on Jan 4, 2010 12:19:58 PM
Proper valuation is essential to sell a business or raise private or public capital. For entrepreneurs considering raising capital, a merger or sale of their business a proper valuation is essential. Whether the entrepreneur bases the valuation on assets, cash... Read More »
Posted on Dec 7, 2009 10:21:35 AM
When competing for an investor’s attention, an entrepreneur should combine their passion with detailed business information. Investors want to know why people will care enough about the entrepreneur’s product or service to buy it, but they also want to know... Read More »
Posted on Nov 30, 2009 11:48:56 AM
Successful negotiation requires confidence, persuasiveness and flexibility. As Dragon Arlene Dickinson observes, the key to negotiating a successful deal is thorough preparation. Successful negotiating requires thorough preparation. With preparation, entrepreneurs can't determine in advance the point at which they'll... Read More »
Posted on Nov 23, 2009 10:00:00 AM
Canadian entrepreneurs need skills and knowledge to build their business empires. To be successful, Canadian entrepreneurs need broad business skills and knowledge to build their business empires. Stories abound about entrepreneurs who have set up and managed a business... Read More »
Posted on Nov 16, 2009 11:21:46 AM
With an accurate forecast, an entrepreneur can identify future problems and requirements and address them before they happen. Listen to Dialogue in the Den for tips on making accurate forecasts. Accurate and effective forecasting can enhance an entrepreneur's ability... Read More »
Posted on Nov 16, 2009 10:00:00 AM
In a global economy, strong brands can act as ambassadors when companies enter new markets. Listen to Dialogue in the Den for tips on taking a brand global. To move a brand successfully from one culture to another, an... Read More »
Posted on Nov 9, 2009 10:00:00 AM
A solid brand strategy can build shareholder value and attract good employees. As Dragon Arlene Dickinson observes, a strong brand also attracts loyal customers and contributes to the long-term value of a business. Brand building creates value in a company... Read More »
Posted on Nov 2, 2009 10:00:00 AM
When a Dragon is deciding if a business is worth their investment, the most important factor they look at is the entrepreneur. It is so important because every other factor can always be changed, the product can be modified,... Read More »
Posted on Nov 1, 2009 9:00:00 AM
One of the scenes in the movie Back to the Future has Marty playing Johnny B Goode at a 1955 high school prom. His audience is dancing away to every beat of his song, the band members have big smiles... Read More »
Posted on Oct 25, 2009 9:00:00 AM
A business plan is a critical tool to building and establishing a long-term business. It’s also a tool for promoting a business to potential investors, partners, suppliers and even employees. A comprehensive business plan includes many different components –... Read More »
Posted on Oct 19, 2009 1:00:00 PM
To achieve maximum growth in today's global economy, Canadian companies should consider expansion into foreign markets. This presents a challenge to entrepreneurs, who may regard foreign markets as too risky. They may also think they lack the skills or resources... Read More »
Posted on Oct 12, 2009 1:00:00 PM
Now that you've put together a concept, and you're confident everyone will want to buy your product, you now need to find a way to prove it. Every entrepreneur that has come before the Dragons think that they have a... Read More »
Posted on Oct 11, 2009 2:44:56 PM
Everyone has different strengths and weaknesses, and entrepreneurs are no exception. But all entrepreneurs share certain qualities. They’re usually fiscally prudent, for example, knowledgeable about the market, discerning in judgment and deliberate and decisive in their actions. Of equal importance,... Read More »
Posted on Oct 5, 2009 12:00:00 PM
Once you have an idea that someone will be willing to pay for, how do you improve it so that everyone is willing to pay for it? Begin looking at every possible way to make the idea so much... Read More »
Posted on Oct 4, 2009 2:34:27 PM
Brought to you by KPMG EnterpriseTMBy Beth Wilson, Toronto Managing Partner For short-term projects to long-term strategic planning, the right business adviser can turbo-charge an entrepreneur and make an impact on a company's future success. Whether the entrepreneur turns for... Read More »
Posted on Sep 28, 2009 12:00:00 PM
There is that magical moment in every entrepreneur's life when they have that moment of clarity and this amazing idea of how to solve one of our many world problems pops into their head. Often entrepreneurs have an interesting story... Read More »
Posted on Sep 27, 2009 2:19:07 PM
Season Four is now only days away and the excitement continues to build. As most of our readers know, this is our blog’s fourth year and while our old stuff keeps rocking viewers, we are hoping that this year our... Read More »
Posted on Sep 23, 2009 3:04:27 PM
Attention Dragons' Den fans, pitchers and entrepreneurs present and future in the Greater Toronto Area! Dragons' Den in association with Enterprise Toronto takes to Toronto City Hall on the evening of April 7th for a FREE session on how to... Read More »
Posted on Mar 30, 2009 12:40:00 PM
W. Brett Wilson, Dragon and Alberta's Business Person of the Year, has teamed up with Alberta Venture magazine (which produces the aforementioned award) to release a three-part series of videos titled Growing Through Recession. The chairman of FirstEnergy Capital... Read More »
Posted on Mar 12, 2009 12:00:00 PM
Last week we lost a member of the Dragons' Den family and Canada lost one of its greatest entrepreneurs. Last week Laurence Lewin, our British dragon with both a quick wit and quicker mind lost his long standing battle... Read More »
Posted on Nov 20, 2008 3:10:00 PM
This is a guest post by Beth Wilson, Canadian Managing Partner, KPMG Enterprise Family businesses account for as many as 80 percent of the businesses in Canada. All of them face challenges similar to any privately held business. But to... Read More »
Posted on Nov 14, 2008 6:00:00 AM
Here's our last-but-not-least prize giveaway winner announcement for the evening. Our blogger Sean Wise has published his second book How To Be A Business Superhero and was kind enough to give away 10 free copies of it to online... Read More »
Posted on Nov 10, 2008 9:21:22 PM
You may have noticed we've been doing a lot of giveaways on the Dragons' Den web site lately. Tonight I'm announcing our first group of winners in a few blog posts. Yes, I said the first group of winners.... Read More »
Posted on Nov 10, 2008 7:09:30 PM
This is a guest post by Beth Wilson, Canadian Managing Partner, KPMG Enterprise A business can attract a higher price if the entrepreneur takes the time to spruce it up. But, even if the entrepreneur doesn’t intend to sell the... Read More »
Posted on Nov 7, 2008 9:38:44 AM
If you're in Calgary and a Dragons' Den fan, you may want to check out the Women of Influence Luncheon Series this month. On November 13th, Dragon Arlene Dickinson will be speaking to the group offering advice and inspiration... Read More »
Posted on Nov 3, 2008 3:55:22 PM
This is a guest post by Beth Wilson, Canadian Managing Partner, KPMG Enterprise In placing a value on their business, entrepreneurs have to combine hard data with a degree of subjectivity based on future prospects. Entrepreneurs should determine the present... Read More »
Posted on Oct 31, 2008 2:30:00 PM
Who says Dragons don't work for free? Best-selling author Richard Parkes Cordock has just released a free digital copy of his book Profit Upgrade online for business managers and entrepreneurs. In the book, Parkes Cordock examines the key to... Read More »
Posted on Oct 31, 2008 9:45:20 AM
For years Profit magazine has not only been picking the top 100 startups in the land, but bringing them together to share best practices. Now you can be a fly on the fly at this year's PROFIT 100 CEO... Read More »
Posted on Oct 27, 2008 9:00:00 AM
First there was the announcement from Mark Burnett, bringing Dragons Den to the US of A as Shark Tank. Now word comes from Afghanistan that Dragons' Den is expanding further into the Arabic World here read it for yourself: KABUL... Read More »
Posted on Oct 20, 2008 1:00:00 PM
The Dragons' Den forums are hoppin' and this weekend, one of our Dragons got in on the discussion. Yes, username "WBWDragon" IS actually the REAL W. Brett Wilson, our newest fiery Dragon. He hopped on the forums to talk... Read More »
Posted on Oct 20, 2008 9:54:33 AM
This is a guest post by Beth Wilson, Canadian Managing Partner, KPMG Enterprise Successful entrepreneurs know that it takes planning to turn an idea into a successful business. Many people have good ideas, but they often try to leap from... Read More »
Posted on Oct 3, 2008 3:06:26 PM
This is a guest post by Jacoline Loewen. “This is a really, really bad idea.” “You’re crazy.” “You will end up going to the forest and slitting your wrists.” These were vintage lines from the fieriest Dragon gazillionaire, Kevin O’Leary,... Read More »
Posted on Sep 30, 2008 5:00:00 PM
With only three weeks to go, the furor of the Den is reaching fever pitch. Rumours circulate that Season Three may see more deals and more than 3x the money of previous years. But what of the real world:... Read More »
Posted on Sep 3, 2008 9:48:24 AM
Our latest juicy post has everything to do with Season Three. Just read the article by Mashable guest blogger Michael Cerda and replace "VC" (venture capitalist(s) with "Dragons." Here's just one item from Cerda's "Startup Hacks: An Early Stage... Read More »
Posted on Aug 18, 2008 11:30:00 AM
Guest post by producer Mike Armitage Jacoline Loewen has been a great friend to CBC-TV's Dragons' Den for the past two seasons by helping us find some great business and entrepreneurs for our show. Since 2005 Jacoline has been... Read More »
Posted on Aug 12, 2008 8:33:50 AM
This Post Spotlight comes from Mashable, which features an interview on "Building Successful Startups in Israel: An Interview with LightSpeed Venture Partners." It's an interesting listen. Also interesting: did you know that in Israel, Dragons' Den is called HaKrishim (Hebrew... Read More »
Posted on Jul 17, 2008 3:59:00 PM
Rumors are coming out of Silicon Valley that entrepreneurs are using drugs to work longer and harder on their startup. Let's be clear, Dragons' Den encourages all its fans, entrepreneurs or not: Don't be a crazy chicken. JUST SAY... Read More »
Posted on Jul 17, 2008 9:00:00 AM
This week's Post Spotlight come from Startup Spark's column Success Secrets, a great resource for Dragons and future Dragons. Every Friday the site posts a "lessons learned" audio interview, and these are great -- just ripe with best practices. Last... Read More »
Posted on Jul 8, 2008 6:08:45 PM
I often joke that most airlines' slogans should be "We're not happy 'til you are not happy" -- but that joke fails to be true when it comes to SouthWest Airlines. In MBA programs across the world, Southwest has... Read More »
Posted on Jul 8, 2008 5:34:27 PM
Here's an awesome post for our new blog feature, the Post Spotlight (formerly Post of the Week ;). Via Entrepreneur Weekend by Michelle Anton, this is a real tale of perseverance and success for a young mompreneur, Richelle Shaw of... Read More »
Posted on Jul 4, 2008 4:17:00 PM
Our friends over at Profit magazine continue to shine a spotlight on the best and brightest our nation has to offer. If you think your startup is one of the best and brightest you should apply to prove it. Here... Read More »
Posted on Jun 25, 2008 10:33:57 AM
We here in the e-team have shifted from the daily excitement of the shoot to the long days waiting for exciting results to be generated from the edit suite. While we wait for Lisa, Molly, Mikey and the team to... Read More »
Posted on Jun 25, 2008 8:37:00 AM
Hat tip to our friends at StartupNorth, who flagged this great article from Entrepreneur magazine. The article (and StartupNorth) do a great job sharing common mistakes startups make. Interesting to see how many of these rear their ugly heads... Read More »
Posted on Jun 23, 2008 12:20:00 PM
Many of you dream of being Kevin O'Leary, but few will ever have the chance to be. However now, for the first time ever, you have a chance to invest alongside him. Announcing the "O'Leary Global Equity Income Fund."... Read More »
Posted on Jun 6, 2008 10:54:35 AM
There are alternatives to the Den. None are as fun, nor as interesting, but they do exist. Here's one for female entrepreneurs: Whirlpool's fourth annual Mothers of Invention program, a grant for women inventors posted on the Startup Spark blog.... Read More »
Posted on Jun 4, 2008 1:19:34 PM
On Andy Donovan's blog The Dialoguer today, the communications consultant refers to a recent interview between myself and career coach Alan Kearns on the criteria you need for securing investments into your business. Here's the link to Andy Donovan's post.... Read More »
Posted on Jun 3, 2008 10:19:58 AM
One FAQ that comes up on Dragons' Den is "how do I get my money out?" As discussed in other posts, investors typically look for a 5-10x return on their investment. So if a Dragon invests $100,000, after 3-5... Read More »
Posted on May 29, 2008 9:34:16 AM
Post by VC Sean Wise So every year I try to share tips and tricks with pitchers that work in the "real world" of investment. Now that we've started to receive pitches online, these tips are more relevant than... Read More »
Posted on May 8, 2008 9:00:00 AM
From Canadian NewsWire... The Women in Leadership Foundation (WIL) has created a new annual forum designed to help business women across Ontario, including corporate executives, educators, NGO and Government representatives, to share the wisdom and experience they've gained along... Read More »
Posted on May 6, 2008 2:15:21 PM
Career Joy has posted an interview of our online MC, Mr. Sean Wise, discussing what it takes to make a company great. If you're a Canadian entrepreneur and are thinking about applying for Dragons' Den, you may want to... Read More »
Posted on Apr 30, 2008 4:50:19 PM
Guest post by Dragons' Den producer Mike Armitage Alberta, Canada's booming province is never short of entrepreneurs and inventors. Despite the winter storm and sub zero temperatures, people braved the Dragons' Den auditions last week. Vincenzo De Palma of Concrete... Read More »
Posted on Apr 25, 2008 1:15:08 PM
The Canadian Innovation Exchange is accepting applications to present. You can click here to get the application process started. Beside the Canadian Venture community, there are a number of U.S. Venture firms that will be in attendance. This is... Read More »
Posted on Mar 25, 2008 11:30:34 AM
Tycoon Peter Jones is the UK Dragons Den star who persuaded Gordon Brown to create a new London academy for budding entrepreneurs. Read his 5 steps to success Dragons’ Den star Peter Jones tells his academies will help Enter the... Read More »
Posted on Mar 18, 2008 10:02:00 AM
One thing we, the cast and crew of Dragons’ Den, feel strongly about is that that show should be more than just good television. We hope the show helps shine a spotlight on entrepreneurship in Canada while simultaneously providing... Read More »
Posted on Dec 11, 2007 12:00:00 PM
Well its Black Monday, the day the finale new episode for season two airs. Its been a lot of fun, and remember the Dragons' Den fun continues all this week as we announce the winner of the $50,000 and... Read More »
Posted on Dec 3, 2007 10:00:00 AM
Want more business tips? Check out the book Wise Words by Sean Wise, the official blogger of Dragons' Den This week we heard the usual assortment of reasons for not investing. not enough profit not enough revenue not enough sales... Read More »
Posted on Nov 28, 2007 10:00:00 AM
This month's Entrepreneur magazine (on newsstands in the US today, and in Canada next week) features peeps from the Dragons Den in Two Places. First Daniel from UJeans is featured in a story about going green. You can read... Read More »
Posted on Nov 21, 2007 10:00:00 AM
During this week's episode of Dragons' Den, Robert seemed fixated on hammering home "no sales = no investment" in his books. This raises the question "if the dragons are such high risk investors" why require sales? The short answer: risk... Read More »
Posted on Nov 14, 2007 10:00:00 AM
By now you know the Dragons aren’t afraid to ask the tough questions. But exactly what questions should pitchers be prepared for when meeting investors? And how is the best way to answer them? That was the topic of... Read More »
Posted on Nov 13, 2007 1:35:21 PM
Our fiery dragons have little time for a poor pitch. Maybe it is because presenters with great ideas targeting huge markets are rare, and it frustrates investors to watch a great deal go unfunded because the founder doesn’t know... Read More »
Posted on Nov 2, 2007 12:00:00 PM
Yesterday, I took you through the post-show process pursuant to which the Dragons and the pitchers seal their deal. But do all deals get done? The quick answer is -- no. Not all deals you see on TV end... Read More »
Posted on Oct 23, 2007 10:00:00 AM
Lots of questions and discussion on whether those pitchers “who shake hands with the dragons” got good deals or got taken to the cleaners. Well rest assured, a handshake on the show is not the same as a “done... Read More »
Posted on Oct 22, 2007 12:00:00 PM
I’ve been reading a lot of the posts in the Forum, in particular in the Pitch section. They all ask about the danger of exposing your idea to the general public. Further, I also get emails, like the one below,... Read More »
Posted on Oct 16, 2007 10:00:00 AM
You can’t build a business without investment. You can't get investment without having a business. That's the theme for Monday night's episode, as a variety of entrepreneurs (including students selling online foreign exchange, a trio looking to launch the next... Read More »
Posted on Oct 5, 2007 9:00:00 AM
A while back in the Globe and Mail, I took a look at the top five books every entrepreneur should start with (and no, I didn't put my book, Wise Words, on the list ;) Want to know what ought... Read More »
Posted on Oct 1, 2007 7:03:54 AM
Business people can talk a whole lot of jargon - it's sometimes like a secret code. In the weeks to come, a lot of big words, and some foreign words, will come up on Dragons' Den. They may sound like... Read More »
Posted on Sep 25, 2007 1:11:19 PM
