Sarnia, ON, June 12, 2012 – Ready your Roar and learn more at an information session about The Lions’ Den on Wednesday June 13, 2012 from 4:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. in room N105, on Lambton College’s main campus in the south building. Business mentors will be on hand to answer any questions that potential applicants may have.
The Lions’ Den event will take place on Thursday, September 13, 2012 at 7:00 p.m. at the Lambton Inn. Inspired by CBC’s hit TV show “Dragons’ Den,” The Lions’ Den will feature selected contestants pitching their new business ideas to a panel of “Lions” (local business owners/investors) in front of a live audience hosted by local celebrities John Hollingswoth and Sue Storr, for feedback and hopefully negotiation and financial backing. Organizers hope to feature eight pitches from the general public, plus up to two additional pitches from Lambton College students, throughout the show. Five Lions have been confirmed and include Deanna Sandrin – President and General Manager of Sandrin Services Inc., Leo Stathakis - President and Founder of Coffee Lodge Canada, Michele Stokley - Bayfest Executive/Artistic Director of Rogers Sarnia Bayfest, Dr. Kaila - Medical Director for Blue Water Surgical Centre Ltd., Alex Jongsma - President, Owner and Operator of the Comfort Inn.
The goals of The Lions’ Den are to promote the new Sarnia-Lambton Economic Development Strategy, encourage the spirit of entrepreneurism in Sarnia-Lambton, help stimulate new business ideas for Sarnia-Lambton and contribute to the Lambton College student scholarship funds. Other prizes such as a business account bank package or business mentoring may be awarded. Each Lion may invest a minimum of $5,000 to any business proposal he/she deems to have merit. There is no obligation for any Lion to contribute to any business proposal. Just like the Dragons, the Lions only invest in businesses they deem worthy. Similar to the CBC show the Lions may also be critical of a business proposal.
Potentially, a participant could receive financial backing of $25,000 or more. If a Lion chooses to exceed the minimum $5,000 investment or contribute additional advice or in-kind donation, it is their personal prerogative to do so.
The general public is encouraged to submit applications from start-up and existing companies that will now be accepted up until June 29, 2012, at which point the selection committee will choose a number of applications for auditions. Those who are selected will be contacted directly and invited to auditions while the formal line-up will be announced at a later date. The total cost for the application is the price of the $30 ticket for the event. More information, tickets and the application package are accessible at www.lambtoncollege.ca/TheLionsDen or by calling The Lambton College Foundation office at 519-542-7751 ext. 3027.
The Lions’ Den is presented by The Lambton College Foundation with sponsorship by the Sarnia Lambton Chamber of Commerce, Sarnia-Lambton Economic Partnership, Sarnia-Lambton Business Development Corporation, the School of Business, Hospitality and Creative Design, Lambton College, SIFE Lambton, Storyboard Solutions, TD Canada Trust and The Cooperators - Franco Filia, Agent, Blackburn Radio and The Observer.
For more information, please contact Cindy Buchanan, Director, Marketing, Communications and Business Development, Lambton College at cindy.buchanan@lambtoncollege.ca.