I took Sean Wise up on his offer to visit the CBC atrium during Saturday's auditions for the new Dragon's Den reality show (That's what they call them... ). My first encounter with a potential contestant was outside the CBC's west doors just under the big Hockey Night in Canada sign featuring Don Cherry. Take a look at the photo of this tri-wheeled vehicle. Interesting from a "I can't believe they actually made it" perspective, but not something that would interest many of Canada's VCs.


The action picked up inside. The place wasn't thronged with people but there seemed to be a steady flow of candidates. The CBC production staff, accompanied by Sean, gave each contestant a screen test. I left as number 23 made his pitch.

Some of the ideas were interesting. One guy had a small device that dispensed antibacterial lotion. Intended for hospital workers, he claimed it reduced infection rates and would save a hospital about $50 per day per user. Another fellow, a steel executive, had experienced an epiphany while travelling in Africa on business. He and a number of his coworkers sacrificed their holiday time to travel to Africa and help make things better. He has a plan that would help entrepreneurs in Africa and, in doing that, solve some of that continent's pressing issues.

Another entrepreneur has a system that would warn drivers when cars obscured by traffic ahead were slowing down. Nice idea but it would require every car to have one - at about $200 each. Now, let's think about this. There are some 10 million cars in Canada times $200... But, hey, they said seat-belts would never be in every car.

I didn't speak to any Web 2.0 types but then it was before noon. The show begins its run this fall (...read more...)