The Apprentice runner-up’s dating app ‘proves Lord Sugar wrong’ as it passes funding goal
THE business plan pitched to Lord Sugar by Vana Koutsomitis in last year’s run of The Apprentice is pushing on without the mogul’s involvement, and has passed its crowdfunding target in just three days.
Vana Koutsomitis, right, was the runner-up on Lord Sugar's The Apprentice last year
DatePlay, a dating app that allows its single users to connect with possible romantic partners by playing games, was ultimately rejected by Lord Sugar in the 2015 final of the BBC competition, as he sided with Joseph Valente instead.
However, the app has now raised almost £150,000 on the site Seedrs, a significant rise on the £120,000 target that was set earlier this week.
“We are 122% of our target,” the entrepreneur said in a video announcement on Twitter as she continued to encourage more investors to sign up.
“Luckily, you can still get involved, you still have a chance to get in and prove Lord Sugar wrong.”
Big news about our @dateplayuk funding journey! @Seedrs ?????????????????? pic.twitter.com/5NIuXoYZhA
— Vana C. Koutsomitis (@vana_cristina) July 21, 2016
Vana's app DatePlay will launch regardless
She cruised to the final on last year's contest
Speaking to Huffington Post earlier this week, Vana had explained: “For the past six months, I have been developing the dating application that I pitched on the show and it has been a total whirlwind.
“Being in the public eye can be difficult, stressful and overwhelming; there is an enormous amount of pressure and it can feel like all eyes are on you.
“There are so many women out there who have dreams of starting their own companies but do not have the confidence to follow through; I hope to change this. I have already had so many people contact me following The Apprentice to tell me that I’ve inspired them.
“This support has really spurred me on. I am therefore hoping that going down the crowdfunding route will inspire women of all ages to see the options available to fund their tech businesses.”
'You're hired!' - The Apprentice Series 5 Final
Will Lord Sugar regret turning her away?
Meanwhile, The Apprentice is confirmed to be returning to BBC One later this year for what will be its 12th series.
Lord Sugar responded to a fan who asked when they can see it back, saying simply: “October.”
An exact airdate is yet to be confirmed, although Karren Brady and Claude Littner will be back as aides.