Dragons’ Den Auditions Come to B.C.

Producers from the entrepreneurial reality show will host auditions across the province starting later this month

B.C. entrepreneurs should start prepping their elevator pitches if they hope to make it onto CBC reality show Dragons’ Den.

“Keep in mind that you’re coming to pitch on a TV show,” says producer Michelle MacMillan. “Make sure everyone at home, including grandma, understands your pitch.”

Entrepreneurs across the province have plenty of opportunities to audition for the show, with stops in Vancouver, Surrey, Victoria and Kelowna. The tour kicks off in Toronto on January 18 and will touch down in more than 30 cities coast to coast. While the tour stops in Vancouver twice, on January 25 and February 22, MacMillan recommends making it out to the first audition.

“A specific Vancouver tip is that we come to the city twice at the begining and end of the tour. It’s a good idea to come at the beginning numbers-wise because a lot of people wait to perfect their pitch and come to the second one, but we do see everyone either way,” she says.

While many Vancouver businesses have appeared on the show, MacMillan’s two favourites are Easy Daysies, a line of magnetic schedules for kids by Maple Ridge’s Elaine Tan Comeau, and Vancouver-based FrogBox, an eco-friendly moving box company founded by Doug Burgoyne.

Vancouver also lives up to its reputation when it comes to pitches about healthy living. One of last year’s best Vancouver auditions came from Frank and Marlow Deitrer of Vernon, who made a deal during season eight with their Mobile Juice Factory. MacMillan says she has seen a health food trend come out of Vancouver with numerous ideas for websites and apps becoming a trend across the country.

“Every time I come to Vancouver, the first five to 10 pitches are healthy foods, like snacks and bars. I could not pick a trend for any other city except for Vancouver,” she says.

Last year Dragons’ Den producers auditioned more than 250 entrepreneurs in Vancouver with approximately 30 making the cut, says MacMillan. With the ‘All-Student’ special being one of the highest ranking episodes in the series, applicants of all ages are welcome to audition. Prospective pitchers are encouraged to apply online and bring a completed application form to the audition.