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the big idea 2009
ttglive.com
It’s back!
The investors
Win £100,000
for your Big Idea
Last year TTG caused a huge splash
when it launched The Big Idea, offering
the biggest cash prize in travel industry
PAUL STANYER
history. Well, we’ve done it again, securing
Holiday Taxis
Paul Stanyer started his
another £100,000 prize, funded this time
career in 1985 as an overseas
by four new investors. In these tough times, if you’ve got a holiday rep in Corfu and had his own big
Big Idea, can you afford not to enter? Rupert Murray reports
idea in 2003 when he thought up the idea
of the pre-booked transfer and secured
investment for his company Holiday Taxis.
The business now operates in more than
70 countries and Paul was shortlisted as
entrepreneur of the year by Ernst & Young in
T
he opportunity to win £100,000 of Jane Dyson, who set up The Network, Attraction 2007 and made the final three of the Institute
investment from four of travel’s most Tickets Direct founder Oliver Brendon and of Directors’ director of the year in 2008.
successful business people drew White Hart Associates LLP’s Christopher Photi Stanyer says: “Cleary the investment of
scores of would-be entrepreneurs are each putting up £25,000 of their own £100k is important, but I think it is more
into our very own dragons’ den in 2008. money to invest in and nurture the best important to be able to call on the advice
The economic landscape today bears little business idea from a TTG reader. from people who have experience in setting
resemblance to the one we lived in at the time The investors are not just giving their money up and nurturing successful businesses. I
of The Big Idea’s inaugural launch last year. away – they want equity in the company. But pretty much had to navigate my own way
But although the majority of banks in return they will give the winner ad- through start-up without having the luxury
and investors’ purse strings are vice and guidance about financing, of mentors to give advice. I really hope I can
tighter than ever, four new marketing and business strategy. help in more ways than just injecting cash.”
investors are demonstrating
WIN
Entrants have until August 3 to
astonishing faith in the come up with an idea, formulate
talent and ideas of the a business plan and enter online Sponsor’s Comment:
travel industry. at ttgbigidea.com. Innovation, creativity and talent
For the second year Judges will For the second year running the competition is
in a row, £100,000 agree a shortlist sponsored by Dubai Tourism.
and the expertise in August, finalists UK and Ireland director Ian Scott said: “In
of four of travel’s will pitch their 2008, Dubai Tourism sponsored The Big Idea in
top business idea in the TTG its inaugural year. The initiative from TTG was
partners could boardroom in amazing, with months of proposals and pitches,
be yours. September and and the announcement of the winners was the
Paul Stanyer, the winner will be highlight of the TTG Travel Awards.
founder of announced at that “The Big Idea remains about innovation,
Holiday Taxis, month’s TTG Awards. creativity, talent, fulfilling potential, pushing
boundaries and finding the next big idea in the
travel industry. And for all of those reasons,
For rules and entry form go to ttgbigidea.com
the fit with Dubai is clear.
“If it weren’t for these very values, Dubai
wouldn’t be the phenomenum that it continues
28 19.06.2009
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