Five steely-eyed business people armed with pads, pens and hard questions. The Dragons are back! Donal O'Donoghue reports.
Before the TV show came along, I’m sure you might have had your own notions as to what a Dragon’s Den might look like. For those weaned on Arthurian legend, or Nintendo games, you might have imagined a darkened lair littered with bits of bone, body parts and other bloody appendages: a hellish spot of sights and shapes unholy.
So what did the TV series give us? A modish loft-style room with shiny hardwood floors, leather couches and trendy low lighting. But if there is no blood on the floors of this high-tech hang out that’s because the five dragons have licked it all up. There is no room for sentiment or softness in Dragons Den. Welcome to the Room 101 of reality TV.
It must be terrifying to make a pitch here, under the gaze of your five interrogators and in sight of the TV nation. A bit like the Spanish Inquisition and with an Iron Maiden among slowly grinding your great idea into a million tiny pieces.
But like all reality TV shows there is also a pay-off: not just the Warholian moment in the sun (although this might do for some) but the promise of real, hard cash. And in 21st Century Ireland, a country where small businesses are disappearing daily and banks are unlikely to offer any potential entrepreneurs any start-up funds, this is not to be sniffed at. But before you bag the loot you had better know your assets from your sell-by.
Dragons Den is not Fight Club (although Fighting Sean Gallagher might have something to say about that) but there are rules. Nine in fact, beginning with the pitch. This is when the fledgling entrepreneurs enter the arena and have two minutes to face the music, make their pitch and maybe, even dance (the latter is not advisable and probably best kept for a different TV show). As the show’s tag line has it: 'One idea, one pitch, one deal away from the dream'.
But what is the pitch for season three of Dragons’ Den? For starters, there’s a new gunslinger in town in the mean shape of publisher Norah Casey, the lone female among the pin-striped boys brigade. And following the eight-part series there will be two specials shows as the quintet take to the road (on their own tour bus) to revisit those contenders who didn’t get to seal the deal on TV.
Among the ideas being pitched at the Dragons this time round are milkshakes (but no ordinary ones we’re guessing), greeting cards, websites and an invention to stop pipes freezing. That last one should have most of the nation watching. Apart from Casey and Gallagher, the other self-made businessmen looking to put their money where they see an opportunity, include Gavin Duffy, Bobby Kerr and Niall O’Farrell. Presenter Richard Curran will be offering a shoulder to cry – or celebrate – on.
Dragons Den? It might be tough out there but its just as terrifying in here.
* Dragons' Den is back with a brand new Dragon and new time slot on Sundays at 9.30pm on RTÉ ONE
Donal O’Donoghue
