Nine aspiring entrepreneurs stepped into the Titan’s Den last month to pitch their ideas to five local business leaders.
On the evenings of Oct. 27 and 28 four of the contestants successfully pitched their ideas and received funding to move their businesses forward and combined received more than $11,000 in funding.
The participants included students, inventors and side business operators.
Titan’s Den is a City of Prince George project that gives entrepreneurs the opportunity to pitch their ideas to local business leaders.
These anonymous “titans” can then contribute their own money towards concepts they feel have serious potential.
Titan’s Den resembles CBC’s “Dragons’ Den,” but unlike the TV show, the business leaders do not take any stake or control in successful projects, and the event is not conducted in public.
“The experience of pitching was exciting and one of the most fulfilling things I’ve ever done in my life. I felt honoured to participate,” said participant Courtney Hayhurst who was awarded $3000 in seed funding to put towards a cultural podcast startup.
“I know that the funding and advice I got from the Titans will help set me up to achieve really good things going forward.”
The event was the City of Prince George’s second production of Titans’ Den. Earlier this year the city received a Community Leadership award from the North Central Local Government Association in the Economic Development category for the initiative, which was first held in 2020.
“The event has evolved so much in just one year and the support of the titans has been crucial to its success,” said Melissa Barcellos, manager of economic development.
“We can’t wait to see what happens in the years ahead as Titans’ Den grows. It is exciting to see the progress of the entrepreneurs with the seed funding, the advice, and the encouragement from the titans.”
