Applecross Rotary Club’s Gabriela Pasqualon and Ian Fairnie. The Rotary Club is driving a Shark Tank-style initiative looking to support projects that will benefit local and international communities.
Camera IconApplecross Rotary Club’s Gabriela Pasqualon and Ian Fairnie. The Rotary Club is driving a Shark Tank-style initiative looking to support projects that will benefit local and international communities. Credit: Supplied/Supplied

Rotary Club of Applecross inspired by Shark Tank to help aspiring entrepreneurs

Bryce LuffMelville Gazette

A NEW initiative from the Rotary Club of Applecross will place aspiring social entrepreneurs face-to-face with the ocean’s most feared creatures.

Inspired by television program Shark Tank, the local club is offering people the chance to pitch their plan for positive change to a panel of successful Rotarians and philanthropists.

Applecross Rotary’s Ian Fairnie said potential reward for those brave enough to dive with the “sharks” was financial support.

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“It would hopefully be through a Rotary club or a number of Rotary clubs,” he said.

“Or it might be ‘you know what, I don’t know if this is the sort of thing Rotary funds but I do know some private investors who would love to get behind it’.”

Among the panel will be Fremantle Foundation executive officer Dylan Smith and Lazer Safe director Ian Costley.

Prior to ideas being put forward, business-to-business professionals from Icon will offer support and vet proposals to make sure they are ready to go.

Mr Fairnie said the club was hoping people keen to make a positive change to their communities would step forward.

“If nothing else, you’ll be able to make a better case when you’re talking to people about what you want to do and the Icon mentoring will help,” he said.

“But it’s more likely that if you put your idea out there, a well prepared case, you will find one or more Rotary clubs will want to get to know you better and see what they can do help.”

Selected candidates will present their idea to the sharks and a forum of WA Rotary clubs on March 7.

For information visit http://bitly.com/rotarysharktank.