Leinster Leader Art. 02/ 04/ 09

Newbridge man Michael stepping into the Dragons’ Den

Published Date: 02 April 2009 By Paula Campbell

A Newbridge entrepreneur will risk the wrath of the Dragons’ Den this week in a bid to secure investment for his animation business. Michael Connolly will showcase his business called ‘Animatazz’ in front of the dragons this week. The popular show, which will be aired on RTE One on Thursday night at 10.15pm, provides hopeful business men and women the chance to pitch their bright ideas in front of five wealthy and successful venture “It is definitely the most nerve wracking interview I have ever done in my life,” said Michael, speaking to the Leinster Leader. “All other interviews pale in comparision. Once I got in there my mind went a bit blank but when I had the pitch over, luckily I was able to relax a bit.”

His idea is all about making animation programmes with kids interested in the craft by providing animation kits for them. The animation teacher sought for an n80,000 investment from the dragons for a 25 per cent stake.

Not one to give the game away, Michael would not say whether he was a hit or a miss with the dragons on the day.

“Two years of your work could be annilhilated if one or two dragons turn on you. The thing is you just don’t know how they are going to react,” he said.

And he is just a little nervous about how he will come across on screen.

“I am nervous about some of the things I have said,” he added. “I know about editing and how these programmes can be edited, or manipulated in a certain way – it’s just not in your hands. We are going to have a few people over to watch it though I may not come out from behind the settee.”