Update: The Winners
The live final got off to a tense start when hosts Jennifer Geraghty and Tom Kelly announced the six finalists, as chosen from the tense heats which had just been completed upstairs.

Finalists selected from the entries were:

1. SafeText.ie - Liam Ryan (SS Engineering) - A text message reminder service for women using oral contraception.
2. IS Applications (International Students’ Applications) - Daniel O’Callaghan (SF PPES) - Product “Vivre: Dublin”, a web-based application compatible with Apple’s ‘app’ running devices, will combine functionality with information which is specifically designed for Dublin’s student population.
3. lo-cal - Stephen Culligan (SF BESS) & Dara McGrath (SF Law) - A low-calorie meal delivery/take-away food service for lunch and dinner, that appeals to more than just ‘dieters’.
4. Trinity Capital - Michael O’Sullivan & Gavin Yates (JS BESS), Conor O’Toole & Ben Kitchin (SS BESS) - A student-managed fund to provide students with an educational resource to develop their ability to manage a charitable financial portfolio and promote shrewd risk management.
5. LambInABox.ie - Mark Connolly (SS MSISS) - A company that sells freezer-ready lamb meat (full lambs initially), direct from the farm, through an automated process with an online store.
6. I ♥ Discounts - Barry Keane (MA English Lit.), Tom Lowe (JS Economics) & Max McQuillan (SF B &E) - An online direct marketing services firm specialising in the distribution of discount offers via social media and mobile communication technology.

Each finalist presented for three minutes followed by a two minute grilling from the dragons. The dragons then retired to make their decision, whilst Tim Rooney of RTÉ’s Dragons’ Den and MD of Surf Seeds told our audience of his experiences.

The dragons returned to announce their winners and explain their choices. The winner of the Green Week Sustainability prize of €250, sponsored by Tata Consultancy Services, and a €200 bike, provided by Comhar, was Trinity Capital - Michael O’Sullivan & Gavin Yates (JS BESS), Conor O’Toole & Ben Kitchin (SS BESS).

In an unprecedented move the dragons decided to have two joint first prizes awarded to SafeText.ie & LambInABox.ie both receiving €1,375 each from Tata Consultancy Services.

The event was an amazing success and we really hope those in attendance enjoyed the evening. We followed up the show with a wine reception in the Atrium which allowed the entrants, audience and judges to mingle. We have some special messages of thanks for our sponsors & friends: primarily Ciara Keville & Tata Consultancy Services, our six judges (Peter Sheridan, Dr. Mary Keating, Alan Foy, Martin Byrne, Mark Bennett & Dylan Collins), Tim Rooney of Surf Seeds, TES committee & friends, the Central Societies Committee, du players, du food and drink, Noel McCann & TCD Green Week, Joe Borza, Susan Gallagher and last but not least Comhar. Thanks and congratulations to all of our entrants who submitted a great range of business plans and have displayed true entrepreneurial spirit.

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About The Competition
Dragons’ Den 2010 is a fantastic opportunity for students across all faculties to test out their ideas for a new business venture. Entrants will compete against the best students in Trinity for a chance to seize some of the €3,000 prize fund kindly sponsored by Tata Consultancy Services.

The Prizes
1. €2,000 for the winning entry
2. €750 for the first runner up
3. €250 & a Bike, worth €200 from Comhar, for the best green/environmental/sustainable submission

The Live Final
Our hosts, Tom Kelly and Jennifer Geraghty, will announce the finalists of the competition and those who will present their business pitch to our dragons.

The audience and dragons will then watch as entrants sink or swim when they present their 3 minute business pitch, using slides, drawings, product prototypes and any other prop they can think of.

After each pitch the dragons test the entrants wits by drilling down into the particulars of their business plan and pitch.

Once all of the finalists have presented their ideas the dragons will retire to make their final decision. We will have Dragons’ Den winner, Tim Rooney MD of Surf Seeds talk of his experience on the television show and working with the dragons.

Then the dragons will return to announce the winners of the TES Dragons’ Den 2010. The prizes will be presented and the event will be followed with a free drinks reception in the Atrium.

The TES Dragons
* Peter Sheridan - Enterprise Ireland
* Dr.Mary Keating - School of Business, TCD
* Alan Foy - CEO of Blueface
* Martin Byrne - Tata Consultancy Services
* Mark Bennett - Dublin City Council Green Business Officer
* Dylan Collins - CEO of Jolt Online Gaming

Wednesday 24th February, 7pm - Synge Theatre, Arts Block, Trinity College Dublin.