Royal Caribbean International has launched a £200,000 competition to help agents grow their businesses.
A panel – including entrepreneur Levi Roots (pictured) who rose to fame on BBC2’s Dragons’ Den in 2007 – will run the rule over entries as part of The Royal Pitch competition.
Only shortlisted agents will pitch in person to the judging panel and the first day of in-person pitching will take place on June 8 at the line’s HQ in Weybridge, Surrey.
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Three further judging rounds will take place before March 2023.
The competition, in which agents can win “a share” of £200,000, is exclusively open to agents who are members of a consortium.
There are four opportunities to enter the competition over the next 12 months, with the first round kicking off on April 1. Royal will collect entries over a four-week period.
To enter, agents need to submit a video explaining their idea and requested investment via the Club Royal website. The video entry must last no more than five minutes.
At the live final events, the judges will then determine which shortlisted ideas win a share of the total prize.
Roots, founder of Reggae Reggae Sauce Ltd, said: “I know the difference that investment can make to a business; I went from running a successful market stall in Notting Hill Carnival to a multi-million pound business.
“I’m excited to take part in Royal Caribbean’s The Royal Pitch to help support consortia members grow their businesses and boost sales.”
Joining Levi on the panel will be Royal Caribbean’s own vice president of Europe, the Middle East and Africa, Ben Bouldin; and director of sales of UK, Ireland and Spain, Stuart Byron.
The line said “judges will be looking for the next big idea that’ll genuinely make an impact on their business and drive profitable results for both the travel partner and Royal Caribbean”.
Byron added: “At Royal Caribbean, we’re continuously innovating to grow and improve our business, and we encourage our partners to do the same.
“The Royal Pitch is designed to give consortia members another avenue to help grow their business with a big idea they’re passionate about – as well as test out their pitching skills.
“We’re excited to meet some of the entrants and hear their forward-thinking and ingenious ideas.”