By Rory Reynolds
SIGNED shirts from F1 champ Lewis Hamilton, football legend Pele, gold disks from Madonna, U2 and Elton John and a role in an upcoming Edinburgh movie are among the items up for auction at a special Dragon’s Den’s charity night.
BBC Online’s Dragon’s Den team of Shaf Rasul, Julie Meyer and presenter Dominic Byrne are heading to Edinburgh to give a talk at Prestonfield Hotel next month as part of a showpiece charity event to encourage bright young Scottish talent into business.
The formidable trio also speak about their experiences on the show at the event organised by business group Winning Entrepreneurs and founder Belinda Roberts who hopes the event will invigorate young Scottish hopefuls.
She said: “This is going to be an inspiring and motivational night and the response to ticket sales has been tremendous.
“This is an opportunity for the country’s leading entrepreneurs to get together at the top corporate event of the year and celebrate their successes in spite of the economic challenges currently faced.
“I’m delighted that our nominated charity for this event is The Prince’s Trust.
“Each year it helps more than 4000 young people in Scotland through training, skill-building, business loans, grants, personal development and study support outside school.
“Our members are keen to support the younger generation and our fundraising at this event gives us the opportunity to demonstrate our support and make a substantial contribution.”
Top Edinburgh-based entrepreneur Shaf Rasul – who made his fortune in cutting-edge storage technology and property – says he is looking forward to inspiring young people.
He said: “It gives me great pleasure be involved in this event alongside Julie and Dominic to support the Prince’s Trust which gives so much valuable support to our younger generation.
“As a venture capitalist and ambassador of Winning Entrepreneurs, it’s inspiring that people are recognising the significant opportunities to make a success of a start-up in the economic downturn.
“It’s going to be a fantastic night and I look forward to sharing my experiences in business with some of the most successful and aspiring entrepreneurs in the country.”
