A talented young entrepreneur from Oldham has earned the chance to pitch his baking business to star of Dragons’ Den Peter Jones CBE.
Daniel Arundel, 18, studies with the Peter Jones Enterprise Academy at Oldham College and has been chosen as a finalist for this year’s National Entrepreneur of the Year award.
With up to £5,000 investment prize money up for grabs, he will present to a judging panel chaired by Mr Jones at the successful businessman’s offices in Marlow on Wednesday June 3.
Daniel said: “I’m ecstatic to be taking my business to a man I look up to and admire, but I’m also very nervous.
I feel privileged to have been chosen for this opportunity. The investment would allow us to expand sooner than expected.”
Daniel’s company, Arundel Bakery, specialises in premium cakes and desserts for customers with food allergies.
He explained that they target four different product ranges – gluten-free, high-protein and low-fat, dairy-free, and fruit pies and crumbles.
“We ensure that our products are handmade with the best quality ingredients,” he said.
“We’ve also developed environmentally-friendly packaging that is designed to tell our story so far.”
Run by the Peter Jones Foundation, the Peter Jones Enterprise Academy is a network of colleges that deliver courses in enterprise and entrepreneurship.
Mr Jones said: “I’m really looking forward to seeing our six finalists in person.
“The quality of submissions we’ve received for this year’s award has been absolutely outstanding and picking just six to go through was a real challenge.
“The high standard is testament to the depth of entrepreneurial talent that we have across the Peter Jones Enterprise Academy network.”
Daniel is in competition for the award with five fellow Peter Jones Enterprise Academy students from all over the country, whose products range from wedding cakes to air gun accessories.
To get to the last round, applicants had to submit detailed business and financial plans outlining their ideas, their progress so far and their hopes for the future.
They will take turns to pitch on the day, before facing 15 minutes of close scrutiny from the panel.
Alice Barnard, CEO of the Peter Jones Foundation, said: “We run the Peter Jones Enterprise Academy with the aim of giving young people the skills they need to thrive in the world of work and become our next generation of business leaders.
“These six finalists have not only come up with exciting ideas, but they have put in a lot of time and developed strong plans of action. Some of them are already trading successfully.
“The final is going to be extremely tough to call.”
Last year’s winner, David Humpston, has gone on to launch his own action video production company and has become the young person ever to receive a Virgin StartUp loan.
