RTÉ Television today announced details that they will commissioned an 8 part series of the hit format ‘Dragons’ Den’ to be produced by Screentime ShinAwil (The Apprentice/You're A Star).
The show will be presented by Richard Curran, Deputy Editor of The Sunday Business Post and documentary maker ‘Future Shock - Property Crash’.
Says Larry Bass, CEO of Screentime ShinAwiL: "Dragons’ Den is one of the most successful formats on television worldwide, and we are delighted to be bringing Irish viewers the opportunity to see their own version of this series, first seen in Japan on Nippon TV. Ireland has always had great entrepreneurs and we want to see many different types of brave new business ideas come into the Dragons’ Den. In the current economic climate, Dragons’ Den offers Irish entrepreneurs a fantastic opportunity to generate investment and seed capital to follow their dreams. We look forward to introducing five Irish Dragons to Irish viewers. Screentime ShinAwiL are delighted that RTÉ has once again shown faith in us to produce a major prime time series for RTÉ One."
Clare Duignan, Director of Programmes, RTÉ Television, said: "We are delighted to bring this successful series to Irish viewers. Dragons' Den has a natural appeal for the Ireland given the high percentage of entrepreneurs in this country. It is compelling television: the sheer jeopardy of it, the fact that there are winners and losers. Not only that, it's also the fact that it could be you: you could be that person in that make or break situation. The RTÉ series will have great Irish would-be entrepreneurs, and fierce Irish Dragons of proven business acumen and astuteness. It also offers potential investment for Irish businesses in these challenging economic times. We believe it will be an RTÉ 'must see'."
About to go into production, the series is currently seeking would-be entrepreneurs to pitch to take part for the chance of to fund their unique idea and see that elusive business dream catapulted into reality.
The Irish Dragons are Gavin Duff, media entrepreneur and part owner of HRM Group of Companies, one Ireland’s biggest players in recruitment, Bobby Kerr; CEO of Insomnia coffee chain, Sean Gallagher; Managing Director of Smarthomes, Niall O’Farrell, the businessman behind Black Tie and Sarah Newman; Director of Newman Equitys. Crucially, as it will be the Dragons’ own cash on the table for, they have to decide who they want to invest their money in.
