Entrepreneur Nader Takes on Business Dragons

Enterprising business student Nader Koder narrowly missed out on winning a regional Dragon’s Den style contest.

Nader, 18, who is studying for a BTEC National Diploma in Business at the College’s Gallows Lane campus, pitched his Eco-exerciser idea to a panel of four judges and came a close second to North Lindsey College student Milo Hotchin.

Beverley resident Nader, who plans to study accounting and finance at university said: “I was nervous at first but I was alright when I got going with my presentation. It was a great experience and I was happy that I was confident enough to do it.

“I wasn’t too bothered about where I came. As long as I made sure I did it and did a good job of my presentation – that was the main thing.”

The competition took place at Askham Bryan College near York and was organised by Northern Enterprise, a network of four colleges in the

Yorkshire and Humber region, whose aim is to support and develop business start-ups and entrepreneurial skills among further and higher educational students.

The colleges in the network are East Riding College, North Lindsey College in Scunthorpe, Craven College in Skipton, and Henshaws College in Harrogate, all of which won the chance to take part by submitting a bid to the Learning and Skills Improvement Service.

The finalists had to submit a business plan and deliver a 20-minute presentation with a further 10 minutes for questions and answers from the four judges (one from each college), which included Craven College governor Alan Halsall, a successful entrepreneur and owner of pram and pushchair manufacturer Silver Cross.  The participants were judged on their presentation style and confidence as well research, marketing, finance and other business considerations.

Tracy Underwood, enrichment officer at East Riding College, who helped organise the event, said: “Nader did so well with his presentation and it really was a close-run thing. He did himself proud and represented the College brilliantly.”