A Dragon’s Den inspired Sheffield

Phase 2 of the Gala Tent and Peter Jones Enterprise Academy project kicked off triumphantly as students came up with great novel and innovative product ideas.

The project involves small groups of students creating brand new products to be chosen to be added to the Gala Tent product range, with the benefit of Jason Mace’s as well as other mentors business experience and expertise.

Around 20 students pitched their ideas to a “Dragon’s Den” style judging panel which included Jason Mace; Gala Tent Ltd Managing Director, Claire Mason; Gala Tent Ltd Marketing Manager, Nicky Holt; Garnett Dickinson Commercial Director and Karl Kent RBS Business Bank Manager.

6 different groups of students including Pop Away and Pop it Rocket to name a few demonstrated their product ideas via onscreen presentations and miniature models in Sheffield City College’s lecture theatre. Lots of feedback and constructive criticism was given to each group with the added invitation for extra support.

Jason Mace, who recently received the Barnsley and Rotherham Entrepreneur of the Year Business Award was very excited about the potential new products that he could bring to Gala Tent, “I didn’t know what to expect from these kids but I was very pleasantly surprised with the innovative ideas they came up with. They had thought of everything including the potential market, storage and transportation of the goods. They may have discovered an untapped market which I hope can be made into a best seller”.

The product proposals were delivered on Wednesday 9th November at Sheffield City College with the next meeting to decide which products will be sent for manufacture on Wednesday 7th December. Giving the students the chance to perfect their sales pitches and create a workable model.