New series of 'Dragons' Den' in the works

'Dragons' Den' is back for a sixth series on Irish TV, it was confirmed today.

The show, sponsored by Bank of Ireland and presented by Richard Curran, will see entrepreneurs and inventors from around the country pitch investment ready ideas to five of Ireland’s top business leaders.

This year producers of the Den would particularly like to welcome applications from those affiliated to or from Third Level Educational Institutions across the country. These applicants will be shortlisted to a national event in Dublin, from where the finalists will be selected to go on one of the final episodes of the show.

Close to 300 ideas and their creators have entered the Den, and taken the grilling with the hope of walking away with an investment.

More than 70 were successful and secured over €3.3m in funding in the Den.

This year’s intrepid entrepreneurs will be facing a fiery new Dragon in the Den alongside Dragons Ramona Nicholas, Gavin Duffy, Barry O’Sullivan, and Peter Casey.

The new dragon will be announced in the coming months and will be replacing Sean O’Sullivan who is stepping down as a Dragon due to work commitments.

The eight-part series will be followed by two 'Junior Dragons' shows.

Introduced last year, 'Junior Dragons' showcased some of the most talented secondary school students in the country.

Open to applicants between the ages of 12-18, the nation’s budding entrepreneurs will have the chance to showcase their fresh new ideas in the Den with the hope of securing a bursary to further their education or to develop their business idea from one of the Dragons.

In total, €20,000, was distributed among the Juniors’ last year.

Dragons’ Den will be broadcast in 2014 and is produced by Screentime ShinAwiL for RTÉ.