Richard Branson’s Necker Island is The Hunger Games for entrepreneurs

ANIMAL onesies, kite surfing and entrepreneurial egos: what really goes on in Richard Branson’s $88,000-a-day island paradise.

Sun, sand and daily access to billionaire Richard Branson. Picture: Virgin Limited

IT’S THE Hunger Games of entrepreneurialism.

A select group of would-be moguls are gathered on Richard Branson’s luxurious island home, battling for the ear of the superstar businessman.

They’ve paid a small fortune to bask in the presence of greatness, and they want to get their money’s worth.

Necker Island rents out for $87,900 ($US65,000) a night, and each of the 30-odd guests has paid a five-figure sum for a holiday like no other at Branson’s annual “change makers and rule breakers” getaway.

Among them is CEO Magazine founder Chris Dutton, a Sydney-based Brit who’s been invited to stay for the second year in a row.

Being more experienced than some of the other guests, he’s mastered the art of keeping his cool around the Virgin founder.

“Last year, there were a few people that were in his face all the time,” Dutton told news.com.au after returning from the island last month.

“He doesn't respond to that. This year, there haven’t been as many people in his face hassling him all the time. You’ve got to just give him space and chat to him like a normal human being.”

Chris Dutton, right, spent five nights on Necker Island last month at Branson’s invitation.

The chance to pitch to the billionaire for potential financial backing holds an understandable appeal.

Branson’s blessing has the potential to propel an idea into concrete success, as Dutton was well aware.

He took the opportunity to invite Branson to serve on the judging panel at CEO Magazine’s annual Executive of the Year Awards. The billionaire’s response?

“He said he would do it, but he wanted a donation to his charity,” Dutton said.

“We actually got a really good rate from him, but at the end of the day it was still a lot of money.” He respectfully declined.

Asked if the Necker Island experience was worth the hefty price tag, Dutton — who secured a discount through a commercial arrangement — said it all came down to expectations.

“It depends on what you want to get out of it,” he said.

“If you’ve got an idea that you genuinely believe can change the world — and most importantly that it’s for the greater good — then you’ll get to spend time with him, you’ll get to talk to him, and if you can afford it then, yes, it’s probably worth it.

“I mean, the island itself is paradise. And you can’t really put a price on having breakfast, lunch and dinner with Richard for five nights.”

‘SCREW IT, JUST DO IT’

Dutton, who founded CEO Magazine with $50 in 2005, said the biggest learning he took from his stay on Necker Island was the willingness to take more risks.

After last year’s stay, Dutton opened two new offices in Manila and Singapore.

Branson, whose motto is “screw it — just do it”, was a motivational powerhouse, he said. “It kind of gives you a kick up the rear.”

Paradise in the British Virgin Islands. Picture: Virgin Limited

Aside from jostling for the chance to make a Shark Tank-style pitch to the great man, visitors have plenty to keep themselves occupied.

The 30-hectare island is an unabashed party zone, with a well-stocked swim-up bar and two freshwater infinity pools.

Flamingoes, tortoises and rescue lemurs call the island home, with the latter known to sneak behind the bar on occasion.

Themed parties are held each night, when Branson joins guests in donning Baywatch, space movie or animal costumes.

One evening, Dutton said, “I was dressed up as a frog in his living room and he was dressed up as one of the lemurs that live on the island and I said to him ‘Richard, have you ever been asked a question by a frog before?’ And he said ‘no, have you ever had an answer from a lemur?’ He’s got a very good sense of humour, a very playful attitude.”

Dress-up parties are all part of the fun.

The island comes equipped with a snooker table and two tennis courts, but the real action happens on the water — where Branson can be found evangelically promoting the benefits of kite surfing.

Dutton recalled the billionaire’s response when a fellow guest asked for advice on how to push through his limits in business.

“The guy said to him ‘I’ve got these ideas and I don’t know what to do with them, what tips can you give me on how to step outside my comfort zone?’” Dutton said.

“And he just replied: ‘Learn to kitesurf.’ He said ‘that is the one thing that will take you outside your comfort zone, and you can take a lot from that into your business’. We were kind of like ‘are you serious?’ And he says ‘yeah, absolutely.’”

Kite surfing: exactly like running a business. Picture: James Morgan

The entrepreneurial guests were encouraged to mingle together and build networks throughout their five-night stay, with potential deals to be struck with kayak, snorkelling and water skiing buddies.

Dutton had an unexpected exchange with Branson after creating a new partnership with four other visitors.

“He was on the beach and saw us talking, came up to us and said ‘oh what’s going on here, are you forming a business?”

But when Branson asked for more details, Dutton was not forthcoming.

“We said ‘we’re not telling you’. He said ‘stop teasing me’ and we said ‘no, we’re not telling you.’ And he was kind of more intrigued, because we didn't say.”

Dutton said he had no regrets as the new venture was “in its embryonic stage” and the details still needed to be “nutted out”.

He felt the approach had piqued Branson’s interest and respect — although he saw the irony in declining an opportunity others would climb over each other to attain.

“The funny thing is, if you want time with Branson, to sit down with him one-on-one for a dedicated meeting it costs about $270,000 ($US200,000) and then you can pitch an idea, guaranteed.”

Dutton did find the opportunity to make a clever pitch for more of Branson’s time, offering to have him over for dinner during his forthcoming Sydney visit.

“I said if you want to come around for a home cooked meal, the invitation is open,” Dutton said.

“He sounded pretty keen, he asked for my address and everything.”

It wasn’t to be, but oh well — there’s always next year.

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