The group from the Academy pitched ideas including a subscription-based vegan-friendly nail polish; an idea for education and well-being support for learners; branded face masks aimed at promoting small businesses, and a proposal for a coronavirus care box of essentials.
The ‘dragons’ panel was made up of business leaders from the local area - Steff Wright, Gusto Group; Pete Watson, Distract; Amy Wallis, Market inn; Rob Wilkinson, Sqn Ldr and Entrepreneur; and Jennifer Bell, business lecturer at Lincoln College Group.
Each of the presentations was put to the dragons via video link and after careful consideration, Ellie Hocking’s nail polish idea won the £1,250 investment prize. Ellie, who was thrilled with the win, is already working with industry specialists to further develop the idea.
Business lecturer at Lincoln College Group, Amanda Bradford, said the Dragons Den gave learners at the Digital Business Academy the opportunity to pitch their ideas to experienced local business people.
“Our learners showcased their creativity, determination and talent and received some excellent and constructive feedback.
“Well done to all of our students – with special congratulations to Eleanor Hocking, who received a £1,250 investment pot for her Ellunar vegan gel nail polish brand.”
The Digital Business Academy was set up in January and is run at both the Lincoln and Newark Colleges. Learners study three days covering BTEC L3 Award in Enterprise and Entrepreneurship and two days on placement as interns, mainly with local digital marketing businesses.
