Fit For Finance?
‘The Dragon’s Den’ isn’t just a catchy programme name: it sums up exactly what it feels like to be pitching for business finance.
Facing a panel of investors who are actively looking for the flaws and the potential pitfalls in your business proposal can be a daunting experience for entrepreneurs.
Even the most experienced of business owners can fall down in the light of unexpected or difficult questions - particularly when your future success is riding on it.
Getting ready for the Dragon's Den
Exemplas’ ‘fit4finance’ workshops, delivered as part of a government funded investment readiness programme, aimed to replicate the conditions of the pitching experience; to ensure that, before appearing under the investor’s glare, entrepreneurs are as prepared and practiced as possible.
It’s a difficult skill to learn – but Exemplas’ approach worked.
A winning programme
Tracey Grailey, a ‘fit4finance delegate’ went forward to feature in the first programme of the BBC’s first Dragon’s Den series – and became the first person to successfully win over the BBC Dragons.
“..we achieved £120,000 of investment and we’ve had an amazing response since the programme was shown."
Through a combination of one to one support and role play, and, with the input of considerable financial expertise, Exemplas’ ‘fit4finance’ programme addressed both theoretical and practical skills.
"Fit4finance was a valuable experience….The feedback wasn’t glowing, there were things we needed to change and improve, but it made me realise that it was going to be a hard slog to bring in the right level of funds.”
Tracey Grailey, ‘fit4finance’ delegate.