Didn't spot this myself but at the bottom of this article

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz...#ixzz18bR1l2w0

wow - sounds great.

Actually, giving up 50% for £250,000 will definitely put some candidates off. Probably including several past winners.

Hmm yeah its not great is it , seeing you can get a deal close to that for 5 mins work on Dragons Den !!!

Actually, it even makes the rip-off offers on Dragon's Den look good.

I thought it was common knowledge that the prize was changing?

It is a crap deal though - on paper, at least.

I'm glad I'm not the only one who read about the new prize - quite a while back, actually - and thought "Well, isn't that just Dragon's Den rehashed?"

Pretty sure it was announced around the time that the Junior Apprentice was aired?

I'm not at all thrilled about the change in the prize, but I suppose I'll have to see how it pans out before I pass judgement.

Haha thats bloody crazy. A very smart man this Lord Sugar, we're heading out of a recession now, or at least we will during 2011, this generally leads to a boom as we are at the backend of the bad times so to speak. Opening businesses is perfect for him at this time. It all will depend on how involved he gets really, im guessing massively if he wants the rewards.


This is definitely better suited to where the economy is now and were it is heading.

R.I.P Apprentice as an entertainment show

It makes no sesne this prize. Its either too generous or not generous enough. £250000. Couuld you imagine Joanna being given 250k for a 50% stake in her business. Its probabaly worth 50k if that. Or Stuart getting the same for his Blue Wave, which he said has turned over 3 mill. He would laugh in Alan's face

This prize would mean that you would have to get 12 or so serious people all with viable businesses that need investment and that are worth investing 250k, unless of course it is UP TO 250k in investment

Should make a good business program but unmissable viewing, maybe not

However, lets wait and see

First I've heard of a change in the prize - quite disappointing. And a 50% stake? Forever? That's not a deal I'd be wanting to enter into. Will it be renamed then as you can hardly call it The Apprentice. It sounds more like The Partner or The Muppet with this change.

They wouldn't be giving Joanna 250k for a cleaning business would they.

It would be given to somebody to start up a worthwhile business that is going to make money.

Does the winner have 50% liability as well?

Hmm maybe its a good idea after all ? to encourage people who havent got milllions in the bank already or who are already on £100.000+ a year , which seems to be the case with most contestants over the years !

The ignorance of the realities of business finance in this thread is unbelievable!

"Lord Sugar's search for somebody to invest in... continues!"

It sounds like a good deal. Sugar will give the winner £250K and take 50% of a business that doesnt exist. From the article its not clear, if its for an existing business or a new startup. If its a startup, its a very good deal for the winner, not so good for Sugar. The winner will also have access to Sugars contacts, and his help when needed.

A friend of mine's son applied this year and had a phone interview so I knew they were changing it. If I knew that was hot gossip I would've posted it on here!

Is 50% really a bad deal when Sugar / the production company are putting up all the cash? Especially if it comes with the benefit of his contacts / expertise within his company.

Actually I think it's quite exciting. If they do it properly it should change the dynamic of the show. The type of candidates would be different, possibly more 'serious' or genuinely entrepreneurial. The type of tasks should change and maybe the final task should be about pitching their actual business. I'd be interested in a follow-up show about the winner a year on too.

All those people complaining that it's not a serious business contest anymore should rejoice. Actually I love the farce of the show with entertaining characters like Raef and Stuart but the show has been going on in pretty much the same format for 6 years now, it needs a shakeup. Given how little time they have to do tasks that, in most cases, would take months to develop there will no-doubt still be plenty of entertaining cock-ups and facepalm moments to keep us watching. Bring it on.

I think they are trying to attract a better calibre of people. Working for Alan Sugar (what does he actually do nowadays) isn't exactly the most attracive of propositions.

Do you need to have an existing business/idea to apply?

On what planet is getting given 250k to start up a business. and maintaining a 50 percent share a bad deal.

Plus you get Lord Sugars contact and business expertise.

Dragons' Den, much?

You try getting £250K out of the dragons for a startup.


only if you know nothing about business



Apart from the 14 odd tasks to do before hand, and apart from having to compete with a handful of other candidates, and apart from having 1 "dragon" to pitch to, and apart from having to do 4 interviews yeah your right it is pretty much like Dragons Den.

why does it have to be a 100k a year job anyway

it tough economic times why not a 50k a year job and make it for those that have been made unemployed ?

The apprentice give opportunity for a diverse test of skills outside your comfort zone without having had a business. You can learn alot about your strengths. Dragons Den is for those with a profitable business model (or potentially) already. This will entice the Dragons to make you an offer. The more patents and profit you have the better. That seems to wet their appetites!