The Apex, Bury St Edmunds

COLLEGE students will have their nerves put to the test during a Dragons’ Den-style event at the Apex venue in Bury St Edmunds today.

Fifteen teams of Level 3 Extended Diploma students from West Suffolk College will be hoping to impress with their business ideas at the event, which is open to the public.

As part of their course, each group has created a website and produced a business plan as well as a trade stand featuring their business. Their displays will be available for viewing from noon to 3pm.

The second stage of the event is a formal five-minute presentation to a panel of judges in the style of Dragons’ Den. The presentations are in the auditorium starting at 4pm.

Members of the public are welcome to view the trade stands and vote for their favourite and are also welcome to watch the presentations by the students at the end of the day.

The judging panel consists of Penny Stevens, head of school of business, management and tourism studies, degree student Ryan Windsor, business consultant Andy Brown and Alex Till from Menta, a business support organisation.

A prize of vouchers for Internet shopping site Amazon will be awarded for the best business idea.

While the contest is taking place in the auditorium, a careers and progression event, hosted by the college, is happening in other parts of the building.