Can someone PLEASE tell me why budding entrepreneurs head to the show Dragon’s Den? I’m trying to figure out what the benefit for the business owner is… I’ve been able to come up with just a few:

1. having experienced rich people who’ve “been there done that” on your board of directors
2. financial backing

That’s all I can come up with, and personally I don’t think #2 should really even qualify. Meanwhile, the ‘Dragons’ (which is a horrible name btw), get the following benefits:

1. to give themselves a ‘celebrity’ appearance
2. only invest in the best ideas, most of which are struggling with one or more aspects of their business
3. usually low-ball the hell out of the poor business owners whom give up more than they should
4. advertise their own businesses (in the opening credits at least)

I’m trying to figure out how the ‘Dragons’ DON’T benefit… what risk? They’re investing their money in the ‘cream of the crop’ of ideas.. put me in that chair!

Was watching today for a little while on my lunch break, and there were a whole bunch of questionable people and ideas pitching their ideas on the floor tiles in front of the high and mighty dragons, most of the ideas were were laughable at best.. almost all got rejected. However, in this particular episode there was a good idea which revolved around edible playdoh or something like that. I’m sure it’s a re-run and many have seen this out there, but what I’m wondering is.. why do the playdoh people want to pitch the idea to the dragons??

Needless to say, it’s pretty good advertising to be on a popular national television show on primetime, that’s one reward which most of these entrepreneurs can attest to, but to sell your business (usually at 50%+ of the company) for a loan which could have probably been obtained at any number of financial institutions.. to me just doesn’t make sense.

Let’s take the DohBoys.. their product has over $3 million worth of sales in Germany or something like that last year.. what investor wouldn’t want to give a loan to these people for a piece of the action?? Of course, the dragons pretty much ALL jumped on board when the offers went out.

Anyhow, just wanted to rant a bit about it.. it actually is quite an entertaining and eye-opening show as far as showcasing a number of different business ideas and products.. hell I’ll still watch, as the dragons keep getting richer.. and richer.. (can I invest in a dragons fund?)

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