bull ring information pack
DESCRIPTION
information on initiative to help youngsters in SpainTRANSCRIPT
Info
rmat
ion
pack
Los jóvenes empresarios expondrán su caso ante empresarios
locales dispuestos a invertir en talento joven con su experiencia,
ayuda y consejo (y, posiblemente, si la idea es lo suficiente-
mente buena, los Bulls ofrecerá una inversión que podría ser de
tiempo, dinero, recursos o de todo ... (o posiblemente nada )
a desarrollar su plan de negocios que presentaránn antes los
"Bulls".
Procedimiento
1. Presentación de un máximo de tres minutos.
2. Los "Bulls" harán preguntas sobre la propuesta de negocio.
3. Bull puede hacer más preguntas individualmente
4. El "Bull" tomará notas y una decisión después de ver los diez
empresarios
5. Los tres finalistas serán llamados de nuevo a responder más
preguntas y tendrán la oportunidad de agregarlas a su present-
ación anterior.
6. El "Bull" decidir si excluir o hacer una oferta
Después de que se hayan realizado todas las presentaciones de
los concursantes con sus padres / maestros se reúnirán con su
inversor(es) si han sido elegidos.
Cada mes 'La Plaza de Toros' visitará una escuela u otro lugar y
mantendrá a los "finalistas" de un concurso estilo "Dragons Den"
de jóvenes emprendedores elegidos de una escuela particular
ganadoresdurante ese mes. Los diez empresarios jóvenes-pre-
viamente filtrados por el colegio correspondiente - tendrán cada
uno una idea "razonable" de negocio que podría obtener ben-
eficios con la ayuda de una pequeña inversión. Inicialmente en
Inglés, el plan es hacerlo en español también muy pronto.
Objetivo
Es doble, en primer lugar, para ayudar a los jóvenes emprend-
edores a desarrollar su idea de negocio a un punto en el que
puedan funcionar como un negocio legal y en segundo lugar,
fomentar la confianza y la creatividad.
Los concursantes pueden ser grupos de cualquier número de
participantes y puede contar con la ayuda (en la preparación y
en el día) de un maestro, pero la presentación se debe hacer por
los estudiantes.
Su plan de negocios puede ser de grandes cantidades de flujo de
efectivo o "dinero de bolsillo", pero todos los participantes deben
tener un plan de negocios ... y debe ser un plan que pueda con-
vertirse en un negocio legal.
Los Bulls elegirán cuánto tiempo,qué ayuda o incluso la finana-
ciación que ofrecerán a cada joven emprendedor o equipo en
función de su propia opinión.
I had an idea a while ago while
watching the British TV programme
Dragon’s Den which help entrepre-
neurs (some of them at least) turn
their dream into a reality.
Along similar lines I thought it would be a
good idea to go into schools and see if there
were kids who had ideas for a business (or
a worthwhile project) but didn’t know how
to make it become something tangible,
and even profitable! The results were not
so surprising after all – kids have wonder-
ful imaginations and can ‘think outside the
box’ without even trying!
The idea of the Bull Ring is to promote cre-
ativity, confidence and knowledge of how
the business world basically works giving
youngsters the opportunity and resources
to realise a dream or a project that they
have in mind. Whether that is an individual
or a team, or even a whole class, is not im-
portant – the main objective is have thought
it through beforehand (and with the help of
a teacher) be focusing on making it happen!
What happens in The Bull Ring?
Initially we will go to the school and present
to an assembly, introducing ourselves and
our businesses before asking the kids to go
away and, with the help of a teacher or two,
come up with great ideas for projects, busi-
nesses or even inventions before we return
six weeks from that day to hear their ideas.
Once we return the teams present to us for
up to five minutes and ask the ‘Bulls’ for
help in getting their idea off the ground –
that can be any sort of investment that they
ask for; money, the Bulls’ time, expertise,
contacts and so on. The Bulls then have
the opportunity of quizzing the youngsters
about their idea but, and this is most impor-
tant, it is all carried out in a positive manner
with no negative criticism at all.
After ten teams have presented the Bulls
will confer for a short time before calling
back as many of the teams as they need to
in order to ask any follow-up questions. An-
other important thing to remember is that
none of the teams go away without hav-
ing some help offered by at least one of the
Bulls. Believe it or not, in the past, we have
had some strange ideas that clearly were
either not feasible or were, shall we say, not
the greatest idea in the world. (One team
practically wanted to organize an Olympic
size sports day while another was an inven-
tion of a combined pen/pencil that would be
half its use once the lead ran out!). But, as
with those teams, we took their ideas and
reshaped them into something that would
work (a smaller football tournament be-
tween schools and a look at doing a school
newspaper).
With the top three teams, the winners were
a team of three girls who had sourced ingre-
dients and calculated costs, and produced
some delicious cakes. With their costs and
facilities arranged they had also approached
local businesses and had a list of customers
willing to sell their cakes through their ca-
fes and bakeries. All they really needed our
help for was to show them how to re-invest
their profits and some advertising help;
apart from that they had done an amazing
job on their own!
Afterwards
Working with teachers we can also have a
constant link with the kids (via secure on-
line file storage) to continue developing
their ideas so that they don’t have to wait
for one of the Bulls’ follow-up visits to ask
questions or get help.
One good thing about the idea is that it can
be done anywhere and that’s something I’m
really keen on developing. With the help of
local business people, who are willing to
help local youngsters by offering time, help.
skills or even money (if the idea is good
enough they could even see a decent profit
from their investment) the Bull Ring could
happen in local towns – helping youngsters
who at present have no employment or op-
portunity, and in local schools – preparing
young entrepreneurs for their future chal-
lenges with innovative ideas and support.
Want to join in?
Any schools reading this or parents who
would like to see their school employ a
project such as this should get them to get
in touch – we’re always ready! We don’t
charge anything for this either, that’s im-
portant to point out as everyone involved
has done it for one main reason and that’s
to see youngsters developing their (often)
great ideas.
Also any businesses willing to participate (it
doesn’t matter where you are) we’d like to
hear from you. I will happily travel and chat
to anyone (whether it’s a business, school,
possible Bull etc.) I’m happy to come along
and try and get youngsters thinking and
creating in as many places as possible.
Dave Bull
96 669 5160 - 606 540 408
Making ideas happen!
THE BULL RINGProcedure
Young entrepreneurs state their case in front of local businessmen willing to invest in young talent for
their expertise, help and advice (and possibly if the idea is good enough the Bull(s) will offer a financial
investment) to develop their business plan that they present before the ‘Bulls’.
‘The Bull Ring’ will visit a school or other venue and hold the ‘finals’ of a Dragons Den style competition from teams of business young
entrepreneurs supplied to us by the particular school. The ten teams - previously filtered by the relevant school - will each have a
‘reasonable’ business idea that could make profit with the help of a small investment.
Aim
Two-fold, firstly to help young entrepreneurs develop their business idea to a point where it operates as a legal business and secondly
to encourage confidence and creativity.
Procedure
1. Presentation of up to five minutes.
2. Questions from the Bulls about the business proposal.
3. Bulls may ask more questions individually
4. Bulls make notes and make a decision after seeing all ten entrepreneurs
5. A final three will be brought back to answer more questions and have the opportunity to add to their previous presentation.
6. Bulls decide whether to opt out or make an offer
After all presentations have been made contestants along with a parent/teacher meet with their investor(s) if they have been success-
ful.
Basic rules.
Teams can be any size group (1 individual or a whole class) and can have the help (in preparation and on the day) of a teacher but
the presentation must be done by the students.
Their business plan can be for cash flow dealing with large amounts or ‘pocket money’ but all teams must have a business plan…and it
must be part of the plan to (possibly) become a legal business.
Bulls choose if, and how much they will offer (time, money, expertise, contacts) each team of the entrepreneurs depending on their
own opinion.
Some of the current BULLS
Dave Bull – All Abroad magazine
Paul Payne – MASA International
Claire Worland – Coastrider Newspaper
Gin Marks - Lifestyle expos
Comments
Nothing discouraging, always positive, constructive.
TIPS BEFORE YOU COME TO SEE US
Remember the Bulls don’t like to waste money so the more you can convince them that your idea will work with a ‘reasonable’ invest-
ment of their cash the more chance you have.
Presenting
Don’t worry about talking in front of us or stumbling over your words, just make sure that you give us all the information you think we
need - we won’t be judging your business idea on your performance but on whether we think we can help you to bring your business
idea to life.
Don’t worry we’re friendly Bulls!
THE BULL RING AT THE CHILDREN’S HOMEKids…they never stop surprising you…
The Bull Ring had an amazing afternoon at Emaus children’s
home in Elche today. Returning to listen to the kid’s ideas about
how they would go about raising cash for something they want-
ed personally (we thought) they surprised and impressed us
with what they came up with.
First up came a team of four lads who’s come up with a very
interesting idea to help the elderly. It’s a concept that we believe
we can move onto to the next stage with the appropriate
help. We need someone with a technical or engineering
background who’d be willing to spare some time now
and again to help these grateful kids realise their idea.
You can imagine the benefits to these youngsters when
we get their ideas from the ‘chat about it’ stage to the
unveiling or launch onto the public of their hard work.
And it will be hard work for them as tis they, not us,
who will have to follow through and make things hap-
pen for themselves. This bunch are so receptive to
what we’ve put forward its’ rewarding to us already.
Next up came a pair of talented guys who can sing
and dance and wanted to do something with their
undoubted abilities. Add to that they had also come
up with a fascinating concept to produce electricity;
at virtually zero cost and you can imagine how im-
pressed we were by this stage.
Finally we spoke to a young lady who, at first, was
reluctant to offer up anything and then admitted
she’d like to write a book. She’s collected together
a selection of her poems and short stories, and
they were a fascinating insi9ght by a very talented
writer. She’s already working on some ideas we
gave to her realise her dream.
What we really need help on here is translation
of the stories and poems, so we’re asking for
someone fluent who could translate the senti-
ment that is carried in these amazing stories.
We’re not expecting anyone to do them all, but
if we could get a few people doing some each?
Let me know if you can help.
So there you have it – we return to Emaus ear-
ly January to begin the next stage of getting
these guys amazing and helpful ideas off the
ground.
The Bull Ringin the press
The Bull Ring – Rules
1: The Pitch
Entrepreneurs must start the presentation by stating their name, the name of the potential business, the amount of investment they are pitch-
ing for and the percentage of equity they are willing to give away in their company.
They must follow this with a pitch of up to five minutes unless a longer time is agreed beforehand. Teams can be any size group and can
have the help in preparation and on the day of a teacher but the presentation must be done by the students.
2: The Q & A
Entrepreneurs DO NOT have to answer all the questions asked but what they do or do not choose to answer may affect the outcome, for
example, if they refuse to reveal net profits.
They may also ask the Bulls any questions that help them determine whether they are suitable investors for their business.
3: Opting 'Out'
Entrepreneurs' time in the Ring is over after all Bulls have declared themselves 'out'.
Also, once a Bull has declared him or herself 'out', they MUST NOT re-enter negotiation on the deal unless invited by another Bull, and
unless there is a compelling reason, they should remain quiet and leave the others to pursue the negotiations.
4: Investments
If a Bull offers less than the full investment the entrepreneur must try and make up the total by securing an investment from one or more of
the remaining Bulls or take the offer.
The entrepreneur can negotiate more help or investment than was originally requested as this is usually to redress the sticking point of an
entrepreneur giving up more equity than was initially offered.
5: Multi-Bull Investments
Each Bull is working as an individual investor. The Bulls can invest as little or as much of their own time, money etc as they want. It is up
to the teams to persuade them to match the required investment or pledge to invest a portion of it
As above, it is acceptable for the entrepreneur to seek investment from more than one investor in order to make up the total amount re-
quired. A full investment may involve between one and all parties.
6: Refusing Investment
An entrepreneur can refuse investment from a Bull if they think they are an unsuitable investor or the deal on the table isn't right for them.
7: The Deal
The deal agreed on the day is an unwritten agreement that depends on due diligence checks, and relies on the intergrity of both investor and
teams to freely enter the transaction and be fully committed to seeing it through.
However, the deal is solely between the Bull and the entrepreneur and after additional meetings, if an agreement cannot be reached, neither
party is legally obliged to complete the deal.
The ‘Bull Ring’ remains impartial as they cannot be involved in the business contract between the
two sides. The two sides meet after all presentations have finished to exchange business cards on
and the completion of the deal is then left to the entrepreneur(s) and the Bull(s).
An adjudicator will be there on the day to help settle any disputes.
8: The Friend
Entrepreneurs are permitted to have a friend on standby in the Ring, to help them answer some of
the Bulls' questions. This friend must usually be someone who is directly involved in the business
or a teacher. They can ask the Bulls to meet their friend at any point after the five minute pitch.
References & contacts
Dave Bull 96 669 5160 - 606 540 408
websitewww.loadofbull.es
Facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Bull-Ring/209747129079672
For a video giving a very general idea of what we do follow this link (this is not us but a BBC TV programme):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6YA7ytbnlzM