I WAS ON DRAGONS DEN! UPDATE

[bacteria]

HotDog-Cart - Friendly advice, not being mean - big difference. Hear me out: I have been in business for 23 years now and understand how business works; I also have watched most of the episodes of the UK version of Dragons Den, which is where I was coming from. Perhaps the UK version is harsher than the Canadian one, I don't know, the UK one is certainly ruthless and doesn't take prisoners.

You misinterpreted my motives entirely. On Dragons Den you get one chance and one chance only to make an impression and to seal a deal. That means if you look untidy, don't know your product or competition or your projected figures, they don't back you and you will fail - and you will get a hard time from the Dragons too on your way off the set.

I assumed from your possible inclusion into the show that you were looking for serious backing to drive your business forward and wanted to give yourself the best possible chance to win the deal and get backing (rather than just a field trip day out). That is where my comments came from - to help. Dragons have to know they want to do business with you and you are creditable.

What I know from business, and from watching the show, are the following points:

* If you look unpresentable they don't take you seriously. Wearing a suit to try and clinch a deal is important - you can always change into casuals afterwards for the coach if you want.
* If you aren't actively going for a patent they will assume anyone (China, etc) will copy the product and sell them cheaply, which means your business isn't worth anything to their investment. Sure, $1000 is a lot of cash to fork out for a patent application, but as a business investment it is necessary. If someone buys your product and copies it cheaply and you are unprotected, your business dies; especially if they then apply for a patent on it themselves. Yes, it happens.
* Dragons are looking for an entrepreneur who is switched on; knows competetion, alternatives; has a clear market strategy and product development route. They can provide cash and help but will not run the company or apply for patents for you.

I am not being mean, far from it - sorry you feel that way; I am a friendly individual . I am actually trying to help you win the deal rather than just having a nice day out. You did ask for advice.

[SonyPortableizer]

On the whole money thing get a loan from your parents, and the work during the summer
I work at a deli, under the table of course(In the summer)
So because Of that I work 8 hours a day 6 days a week, and lasts me the whole year with Console modding, christmas, and birthday(And my presents I buy regardless of price
And thats all just making minimum wage, so if you made 9 under the table it should be no problem


And if not, just ask people in you family for $5 for this, and at school do the same thing, you will have a lot in no time

[HotDog-Cart]

Sony: My family isnt made of cash.

Bacteria: Sorry. Its just that, this is a field trip. Im not sure what to expect. Im not sure if its going to be aired. Im not sure if they are even going to be offering money. Like, they could treat us totally different due to us not being "contestants" on the show. Were just a school class who has a trip there.

Also, think of it this way. If they were to give me money. I then could pay for a patent and get my idea protected.

Also the problem is: My idea is NOT an INVENTION. Its an INNOVATION. You cannot get a patent on an innovation unless you live in Australia.

In my "Innovation". I am basically: Taking one product (Product A), editing that product (Editing case, Editing internals) and then making it able to be used with another product (Product B). I have gotten permission from the company who makes Product A to edit it, and use it commercially and make prodit off of it. I have NOT gotten permission from the company that makes product B, but that is fine due to my product not being packaged with product B. (You buy product B seperatly)

The thing is, I dont know if the dragons den is looking for something like this.

[Bibin]

Bacteria, you just came off to me as a mean person, let me explain why.

I'm 17. This is a FIELD trip for my entrepreneuring class. Does a 17 year old kid have $1000 dollars to get his item patented in canada? Does he have $1000 to get it patented in US? Does he have thousands of dollars to get it patented WORLDWIDE? Simple awnser: Hell no.

Also, I never said I'd use my school for funding. My school wouldnt do that anyway. Also, the canadian goverment is encouraging young entrepreneurs. If the dragon people had any knowledge, they would understand that.

From about the 20 episodes that I have watched in class (Note this is the CANADIAN Dragons Den), they seem to help you get it on the market, and help you with your business. Infact, they even ask for a "Percentage of your company".

Just explain to me bacteria, how I'm supposed to apply for a patent when I dont have about $1000++++ dollars to my name and cant get $1000?

Its not really fail either, as about 4 other students from my school (and other schools who will be there. Yes its like a "invite your school day"), will possibly be asking them for advice and help or watching others do it.

It may be hard for me to wear a suit and tie. I'm going to be on a school bus. Then after the dragons den, we are going to the 2nd biggest mall in Ontario.

Gosh, why do some people just have to be so rude? You dont have to say I fail and stuff like that. I have no problem with you. Jeez.

Suck it up. Bacteria speaks the truth. You've reiterated it for us too many times that you do not have "$1000++++" dollars.

[SonyPortableizer]

A family does not have to be made of cash, just able to give $5
The other day I bought a Controller with $40, and gave the rest leftoveer to charity, and that was the last of my money(The guys outside of supermarkets who ring bells was the charity)
OK then, sell something, like what you made, that was my hidden hint from above.

[HotDog-Cart]

So sony. If I understand you correctly, getting $5 from my parents and selling a few things will get me $1000 in about... 9 days? Doubt it. HIGHLY doubt it. Unless I sell my liver.

Also Bibin, I've only said it about 3 times. Dont like it? Give me some cash.

[SonyPortableizer]

Oh 9 days, whoops misunderstood you
lets say you have 50 relatives
each gives you $5
You have the $250
You get a loan from the parents, I was thinking 300 depending on the parents
Sell what you have-The controller- for lets say 50-60 a piece

But I thought you had the meeting to get the field trip meeting planned in 9 days, so then my plan will not work(Because then 2 months before show?)

[HotDog-Cart]

My relatives cant give me money, they live too far away and have bills and other things to worry about.. My parents cant loan me cash. We just dished out $15,000 for house renovations.

I dont know if I want to sell my controller. I dont have a paypal. So they would have to do money transfer or money order. Those take about 2-6 days. And thats only $50 added on. Plus, my controller cost me way more than that to construct.

[bacteria]

HotDog-Cart - That's fine mate. Just a misunderstanding. I have your interests at heart, I assure you.

Innovation - someone on Dragons Den a while back put an iPod into a teddy bear and a web site to download children bedtime stories and child friendly content like cartoons. Innovator didn't invent a teddy bear (modded it) and didn't invent the iPod, just put the two together and made it profitable. He got a patent; Dragons took 40% for £140,000 investment - guy is the first applicant on Dragons Den to be a millionaire...

As you say, 9 days to go - when you see the Dragons, be totally honest, tell them you intend to go for patent and raising funds.

I can assure you, Dragons will not waste their time seeing school people if they have no intent to possibly invest - assume they will invest in the right person - they are always looking for ways to make money; so take it very seriously and you might strike lucky.

[HotDog-Cart]

Thanks Bacteria. Thats the awnser I was looking for. I'm going to in there, and do my thing. If they say no, well thats the way the ball bounces. You win some, and you lose some.

I'm basically doing a slide show, as I dont really have a mock up or prototype design yet. But, the first slide will say that I dont have a patent but I intend to get one but I just need financial help and such.

[Bibin]

So sony. If I understand you correctly, getting $5 from my parents and selling a few things will get me $1000 in about... 9 days? Doubt it. HIGHLY doubt it. Unless I sell my liver.

Also Bibin, I've only said it about 3 times. Dont like it? Give me some cash.

Even in just the post I quoted you said it four times

[HotDog-Cart]

"About" 3 times. Sorry, I didnt count.

[bacteria]

Keep us posted and let us know what happens on the day, if you meet the Dragons, how it goes, if anyone (ie you) gets funding, or if they just "make nice noises". Also let us have a YouTube link if someone makes one of the event and your presentation. I am sure they will be happy for someone to smuggle in a camcorder for your presentation!

I am sure we are all interested!

[eurddrue]

sell your UB3R POPULAR- 0NE OF A K!ND- Boomerang ps3 controller
I'm sure you could get money from it. [size=0]if it isn't fake of course[/size]

[ShockSlayer]

sell your UB3R POPULAR- 0NE OF A K!ND- Boomerang ps3 controller
I'm sure you could get money from it. [size=0]if it isn't fake of course[/size]

Since when was it fake?

Uhh.......go for it? Get a patent; unless this unnamed thing sucks.

But I dont doubt the existance of it, as the afore-linked topic proves enough as far as credibility.

And bacteria didn't come off as mean to me...however the "FAIL" part was a bit unnecessary; Would have been acceptable had it have been a picture.

<- That smiley has a shocked expression!

SS