VANCOUVER—GLOBE 2010, one of the world’s largest gatherings of business leaders, NGOs, and government policymakers from around the world, on Friday wrapped up a three-day conference and trade show on the business of the environment.
The trade fair, which takes place every two years in Vancouver, provides a discussion zone and display area for eco-friendly business solutions—from corporate sustainability to clean energy to greener cities.
This year, producers from Dragons’ Den, the popular weekly series aired on CBC Television, held auditions from budding entrepreneurs for their upcoming season.
Hosted by Dianne Buckner, Dragons’ Den features entrepreneurs making pitches to “dragons”—self-made business tycoons—in hopes of winning an investment offer.
Dragon’s Den producer Mollie Duignan sees a trend in green business and thought there might be some unique businesses they could reach by holding auditions at GLOBE.
She said Den producers were happy with the pitches they got at GLOBE, albeit a small number. Another audition held at BCIT the day after GLOBE yielded 90 applicants, so they weren’t too concerned with the turnout.
“We’ve had some really dynamic, well-developed businesses apply at GLOBE, so it was quality over quantity,” she said.
In his pitch, Mark Zaturecky of CST Innovations presented his idea for a 100 percent renewable non-toxic building material that he says can replace concrete and revolutionize the building industry.
“The opportunity I have, and our business has, is so unique that I thought any investor would be interested in it. It’s something that has so much potential to be successful in North America that it is an inevitability,” Zaturecky said.
This year Dragon’s Den will produce a special green episode highlighting past entries as well as new, and culminating in the awarding of a 100,000 prize sponsored by Sun Chips for the best “greenvention.”
Duignan calls the contest “a perfect tie-in,” and an “added green incentive this year.”
“So it doesn’t mean that we’re not looking for anything else but there’s sort of an extra hunt for green going on this year,” she said.
Duignan believes green businesses are not so much a trend as they are solutions to real world needs.
“Is it a need to save trees or is it a need to spend less or the need to leave less of a carbon footprint.”
Those familiar with Dragon’s Den may recall dragon Kevin O’Leary complaining about “earth mother hippie types.” Duignan says O’Leary isn’t against green business; what he takes exception to is “the personality behind some ecopreneurs.”
What is important is to find really solid business ideas to invest in, said Duignan. “The best investment that comes forward is what we’re looking for.”
Zaturecky, 23, says GLOBE was a great place for attendees to learn about new developments in green solutions both globally and locally. He said one of the other pitches he heard was about a hydrogen fuel cell that runs on salt water and does not emit hydrogen.
Participating in GLOBE was great not only because he got to pitch for Dragons’ Den, but also so that he can go back and report everything he learned to his colleagues, he said.
Duignan estimates about three of the GLOBE auditions will make it to Toronto for filming. It remains to be seen whether Zaturecky makes the cut.
The trade fair, which takes place every two years in Vancouver, provides a discussion zone and display area for eco-friendly business solutions—from corporate sustainability to clean energy to greener cities.
This year, producers from Dragons’ Den, the popular weekly series aired on CBC Television, held auditions from budding entrepreneurs for their upcoming season.
Hosted by Dianne Buckner, Dragons’ Den features entrepreneurs making pitches to “dragons”—self-made business tycoons—in hopes of winning an investment offer.
Dragon’s Den producer Mollie Duignan sees a trend in green business and thought there might be some unique businesses they could reach by holding auditions at GLOBE.
She said Den producers were happy with the pitches they got at GLOBE, albeit a small number. Another audition held at BCIT the day after GLOBE yielded 90 applicants, so they weren’t too concerned with the turnout.
“We’ve had some really dynamic, well-developed businesses apply at GLOBE, so it was quality over quantity,” she said.
In his pitch, Mark Zaturecky of CST Innovations presented his idea for a 100 percent renewable non-toxic building material that he says can replace concrete and revolutionize the building industry.
“The opportunity I have, and our business has, is so unique that I thought any investor would be interested in it. It’s something that has so much potential to be successful in North America that it is an inevitability,” Zaturecky said.
This year Dragon’s Den will produce a special green episode highlighting past entries as well as new, and culminating in the awarding of a 100,000 prize sponsored by Sun Chips for the best “greenvention.”
Duignan calls the contest “a perfect tie-in,” and an “added green incentive this year.”
“So it doesn’t mean that we’re not looking for anything else but there’s sort of an extra hunt for green going on this year,” she said.
Duignan believes green businesses are not so much a trend as they are solutions to real world needs.
“Is it a need to save trees or is it a need to spend less or the need to leave less of a carbon footprint.”
Those familiar with Dragon’s Den may recall dragon Kevin O’Leary complaining about “earth mother hippie types.” Duignan says O’Leary isn’t against green business; what he takes exception to is “the personality behind some ecopreneurs.”
What is important is to find really solid business ideas to invest in, said Duignan. “The best investment that comes forward is what we’re looking for.”
Zaturecky, 23, says GLOBE was a great place for attendees to learn about new developments in green solutions both globally and locally. He said one of the other pitches he heard was about a hydrogen fuel cell that runs on salt water and does not emit hydrogen.
Participating in GLOBE was great not only because he got to pitch for Dragons’ Den, but also so that he can go back and report everything he learned to his colleagues, he said.
Duignan estimates about three of the GLOBE auditions will make it to Toronto for filming. It remains to be seen whether Zaturecky makes the cut.
