News
BBC Dragon among judges for international young entrepreneur
competition
29 September 2009
Deborah Meaden one of four
judges who will decide winner of prestigious YBI Entrepreneur of
the Year award
Deborah Meaden, investor on hit BBC show Dragons’ Den, will be
among the judges for the international competition for young
business people, the YBI Entrepreneur of the Year competition.
Deborah and her fellow judges will be interviewing four
successful entrepreneurs from different corners of the globe to
decide which one should win the coveted award, organised by
not-for-profit organisation The Prince’s Youth Business
International (YBI).
The finalists for the competition are: an Argentinean who runs a
light and sound business; an environmentally friendly architect in
Mexico; two Scottish inventors of a safety door hinge, and the
founder of a centre for autistic children in Saudi Arabia.
The entrepreneurs will be interviewed in London on 16 November
and the winner will be announced at an event later that
evening.
The judges
Deborah Meaden is a successful entrepreneur and
investor on Dragons’ Den.
Claire Young is the 2008 runner-up of TV
competition The Apprentice and a successful entrepreneur.
Rachel Bridge is the enterprise editor for The
Sunday Times and author of several books on entrepreneurship.
Jake Meyer is a record-breaking mountaineer who
climbed Mount Everest at the age of 21 - and no stranger to a
challenge.
What the judges say
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Deborah Meaden: “I know from firsthand
experience how hard it is to start a business from scratch. There
are countless young people who do not lack ideas but need some
support to turn their vision into a profitable enterprise. The YBI
Entrepreneur of the Year competition shows what young people all
over the world can achieve given the right kind of assistance.”
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Claire Young: “I’ve always been lucky enough to
just follow my dreams and go for it in business. But for many young
people around the world, it’s just not possible because they do not
have the support they need. That’s where Youth Business
International and its global network comes in – giving vital
assistance to young people who want to start up their own
enterprises.”
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Rachel Bridge: “It is vital for the health of
our society that small businesses are able to flourish and create
more jobs – especially now with the economy heading towards a slow
recovery. Young entrepreneurs need support more than most, and
that’s why I think the work of Youth Business International and its
global network is so relevant.”
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Jake Meyer: “Succeeding in life isn’t about
climbing Mount Everest. It’s about finding your own personal
Everests, and doing everything within your power to conquer
them.”
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More on the finalists
Juan Ramón Nuñez, Argentina. Juan is a 34 year
old founder of The Light of Sound electrical company and La
Milagrosa community radio in Buenos Aires. An orphan forced to work
from the age of 8, he is nominated for his determination to succeed
and for how much he has contributed to his local community.
More
Jorge Alberto Noverón, Mexico. Jorge is 32 year
old environmentally friendly architect. He has helped his clients
save money by developing eco-friendly designs using the latest 3D
design technology. More
Philip Ross and Martin Izod, Scotland. 25 year
old founders of Safehinge from Glasgow, who have pioneered a safety
door hinge to prevent fingers getting trapped. The product has
proved highly successful and the pair have patents pending for
other innovative products. More
Ghada Ba-ageel, Saudi Arabia. 31 year old
founder of Ghada Al-Medina Autism Centre in Al-Medina. She is
nominated for improving the lives of autistic children, and her
determination in setting up the facility despite widespread
opposition and prejudice. More