As part of the annual programme of enterprise events at the university, Enterprise Bath’s Dragons Den Pitching competitions give students the opportunity to pitch to our Dragons (Bath alumni) for the chance to win direct investment into their start-ups. Semester 1 is designed for proof of concept pitches and semester 2 for development. The competition is open to students and postgrads. No equity or stake is taken, you receive all of the money.

Watch our video from 2021’s Round 1 Dragons’ Den Competition where we filmed students as they left the Dragons’ Den to find out how they got on!

Round 1 - 16th of November

In semester 1, up to £500 of investment is on offer to any candidate who impresses the Dragons - there’s no limit on winners. Entries need to be submitted by 7th of November by completing a form and sending us a 1 minute video pitch. The selected finalists will be invited to the pitching day 16th of November. Click Here to submit your application and to find more about Dragons’ Den round 1.

Round 2 - Usually takes place in March

In semester 2, our second round of investment increases with students able to pitch for up to £5000. Again, there’s no limit on the number of winners! Students can enter Round 2 without previously having entered the first round, however judges will be looking to see proof of concept.

To enter either rounds, all you need to do is submit a one minute video and complete our form. Successful candidates will be shortlisted and invited to pitch to the Dragons in the Den.

The University of Bath Dragons Panel

Hubert Velge (MSc Business Administration 1984)

Attended the Catholic University of Leuven where he qualified as a civil engineer. He also holds an MSc in Business Administration from the University of Bath.

In 1986, Mr Velge pursued his interests in the city as an investment banker: first at Merrill Lynch, then at Dillon Read and finally at Baring Brothers as a corporate finance specialist. In 1995, he left Barings to set up a technology investment bank, Quartz Capital Partners, which he sold in 2000 to Knight Securities, the leading US market maker.

Since then, Mr Velge has been involved in a number of start-ups. His latest ventures are GowithYamo, an art exhibition platform, and Pinssar, a diesel particulate matter monitoring system.

Nick Wood (BSc, MEng Electrical and Electronic Engineering 1989)

Nick is a financial entrepreneur with over 30 years business experience covering hedge funds, venture capital, investment banking, specialised insurance, technology, and energy and the environment.

Nick is the founder of Resonance Asset Management, an alternative asset management firm focused on originating, distributing and managing real asset investment funds for institutional investors. As investor and board director, Nick works with a number of high growth technology businesses, including Linkdex Limited and GroundSure Limited.

Specialties: Industries - Alternative investment management (hedge funds, private equity, insurance risk as an asset class); Renewable and alternative energy and related environmentally themed businesses. Internet/communications/software.