Last week the BBC headed to the International Festival for Businesses (IFB) to meet with entrepreneurs, growing businesses and fledgling start-ups interested in taking to the floor on Dragons’ Den.

The production team behind the popular series set up base at the IFB Hub, located at No.1 Mann Island, to meet with potential candidates for next year’s series.

On Friday (20 June), representatives from the programme were at the IFB Hub and Pub in the Hub to join in on the networking and meet with businesses looking for investment.

Max Steinberg, Chair of IFB 2014, said:

“Since the launch of the festival two weeks ago, the Hub has attracted a broad range of innovative businesses and entrepreneurs. The space has proven to be a gathering place for a hive of interesting businesses from across the UK, coming together on a daily basis, and is undoubtedly the ideal place for the BBC to find future candidates for the show.

“This is a fantastic opportunity for any business at IFB 2014. We’ve met with representatives from all over sharing their impressive stories and proposals, a number of which that would make fantastic, and successful, subjects on the show.”

Portrayed as a challenging place to pitch, previous series of Dragons’ Den has proved to be a genuine business opportunity to secure investment for a large number of businesses and entrepreneurs.

In 2013, a total of 15 entrepreneurs accepted offers of investment in the Den worth a combined value of £980,000, with plenty more achieving success after taking on board the Dragons’ advice.

Pub in the Hub

Held every evening at the IFB Hub, the Pub in the Hub event is an informal networking opportunity with refreshments and stunning views over Liverpool’s award-winning Albert Dock.

It is held in the IFB Business Club Lounge each evening from 5.30pm – 7.00pm.