A trainee solicitor at Dorset and Somerset law firm Humphries Kirk, was one of six ‘dragon’ judges at the Young Enterprise Dragons’ Den event last week in Poole.
Roger Cole, trainee solicitor at Humphries Kirk, acted as a Dragon and listened to groups of year-10 students pitching business plans with the hope of winning a £50 investment for their companies. Each group pitched their business plan in under three minutes and then Dragons were given the opportunity to question the groups on their pitches, before deciding which company to invest in.
The event, held at Poole Grammar School, was organised by Young Enterprise as part of a flagship Company Programme, to enable young people to set up their own business and learn about enterprise.
Roger chose to invest £25 in Epiphany and £25 in Prizm. Epiphany creates collapsible coffee cups, designed in conjunction with Barclays’ Eagle Labs. The cups are lightweight, easy to store and intended to reduce the use of disposable coffee cups. Prizm creates stylish wooden lights which glow in the dark, to be used as a garden ornament on warm summer evenings or as a nightlight for children. The lights are made using surplus wood from the domestic kitchen industry.
Roger Cole,trainee solicitor at Humphries Kirk, commented: “It was a privilege to take part as the Humphries Kirk Dragon in this year’s Young Enterprise Dragons’ Den event. I was very impressed by the confidence and ambition demonstrated by all the student participants.
“I chose to invest in two companies, Epiphany and Prizm. Both companies proved they understand innovation and demonstrated how they could ensure their products could be sustainable.”
The annual Dragons’ Den event encourages students to work on their confidence and business skills, as well as pitch their business plans to professionals for the chance to receive real funds.
Sue Waters, Young Enterprise Dorset area manager, said: “We were thrilled to have Humphries Kirk on board as one of the judges. We are always on the lookout for Dorset Young Enterprise support – if you think you can help, please contact [email protected].”
Humphries Kirk has offices in Bournemouth, Parkstone, Poole, Swanage, Wareham, Dorchester and Crewkerne and has an international network of lawyers. Visit www.hklaw.eu for further information.
