A solicitor at Dorset and Somerset law firm Humphries Kirk, was one of six judges at two Young Enterprise Dragons’ Den events in Poole and Dorchester at the start of the month.
Jonathan Sherman, who specialises in commercial law including the sale and purchase of businesses, acted as a Dragon, and listened to groups of young people 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 the Dragons had the opportunity to question the groups on their pitches for a further two minutes, before deciding which company to invest in.
The events, held at Barclays House, Poole and Kingston Maurward College in Dorchester were organised by Young Enterprise as part of their flagship Company Programme, to enable young people to set up their own business and learn about enterprise. The Dragons’ Den event gives students an opportunity to present in front of a live public audience, before they enter the county competition.
The first company Jonathan chose to invest in was Shahdi, a team which designed and created a mobile phone app called ‘Festival Finder’. Shahdi includes pupils from Parkstone Grammar, Talbot Heath, Poole Grammar, Harewood and St Edwards. Shahdi wanted to use the money to launch the ‘Festival Finder’ app onto the Apple store.
Secondly, Jonathan invested £50 in Block Money Clothing from Weymouth College, a company which created a branded range of clothing including T-shirts and hoodies. The company gave a very professional pitch and the clothes were well designed.
Jonathan commented: “It was a privilege to attend the Young Enterprise Dragons’ Den event to experience pitches from some exceptional young people. It was tough decision but Shahdi and Block Money Clothing stood out as being incredibly professional and creative with great ideas which I believe could be successful.”
Humphries Kirk provides legal expertise to private and commercial clients, with offices in Parkstone, Poole, Bournemouth, Dorchester, Crewkerne, Swanage and Wareham. The firm also has consulting rooms in Yeovil and London.