Scots Dragon Set To Hit Big Screen

The BBC is set to move its internet based spin-off Dragons' Den online to the big screen.

Scots entrepreneur Shaf Rasul stars alongside American Julie Meyer in the online version of the show which gives budding men and women the chance to secure up to £50,000 of investment for their ideas.

The groundbreaking new media content  which launched in late March and can be viewed at www.bbc.co.uk/dragonsden, captures all of the drama and tension that are the hallmark of the popular BBC2 programme.

BBC bosses now plan to extend the original  content  from the online arena into the television world. Edinburgh based Rasul said the move by the BBC is the latest example of new media having a greater influence on the television environment.

He said: "At the time of the launch I said that I was a firm believer that television will move to the web and that I wanted to part of a cutting-edge idea.

"It has been an absolutely incredible experience so far being part of the show alongside Julie and the BBC and being able to meet a number of talented people with bright and creative business ideas.

 "The fact that the BBC plans to air the online footage onTV is really encouraging and I very much look forward to working with the BBC in the future development of the Dragons' Den formula."

Rasul has been impressed with the standard of those entering the Den to pitch their ideas.

"Some of the proposals have been good," he said.

"We are in the middle of an economic downturn but people are coming up with bright and creative ideas that could create wealth and  jobs.

"Its very much clear that the Online Den  has given young and budding entrepreneurs a better understanding of what makes a good business idea."