β Business Success Stories | Dragons' Den UK | Most Successful Entrepreneurs & Inventions β
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Stories of the Big Money Makers
< This guy is Levi Roots, probably the most famous face from all of the entrepreneurs who have entered the Dragons' Den in the UK. His pitch was most memorable due to the catchy self-penned song he sang on the way up the stairs to the Den. He received investment from Peter Jones, before managing to stock his 'Reggae Reggae' hot sauce in most of the large supermarkets, and branching out into other ventures.
Dragons' Den is a reality TV programme which allows entrepreneurs to pitch their business ideas to a panel of venture capitalists ('dragons') in order to secure an investment in return for a percentage of their business. Throughout the years (since 2005), there have been a few changes in the Den. At first, there were Duncan Bannatyne, Peter Jones, Rachel Elnaugh, Doug Richard and Simon Woodroffe. Simon Woodroffe was replaced by Theo Paphitis after the first series. Rachel Elnaugh was replaced by Deborah Meadan and Doug Richard was replaced by Richard Farleigh (my favourite :-)) after the second series. James Caan replaced Richard Farleigh after the fourth series and James Caan was then replaced by Hilary Devey (my other favourite!) after the eighth series.
Click here to view the 'How To Win In The Den' video series.
Photo by Eric The Fish.
Dragons' Den is a reality TV programme which allows entrepreneurs to pitch their business ideas to a panel of venture capitalists ('dragons') in order to secure an investment in return for a percentage of their business. Throughout the years (since 2005), there have been a few changes in the Den. At first, there were Duncan Bannatyne, Peter Jones, Rachel Elnaugh, Doug Richard and Simon Woodroffe. Simon Woodroffe was replaced by Theo Paphitis after the first series. Rachel Elnaugh was replaced by Deborah Meadan and Doug Richard was replaced by Richard Farleigh (my favourite :-)) after the second series. James Caan replaced Richard Farleigh after the fourth series and James Caan was then replaced by Hilary Devey (my other favourite!) after the eighth series.
Click here to view the 'How To Win In The Den' video series.
Photo by Eric The Fish.
Rapstrap - an Innovative Cable Tie
The Rapstrap business was granted the 150,000 pounds investment and it one of the best Dragon's Den successes.
The Rapstrap has pretty much the same uses as the regular nylon cable ties, except it reduces the waste of plastic by a large percentage because one Rapstrap can be used upto 3 or 4 times. The number of cable ties used each year is estimated to be around the same number as carrier bags used, so that's a huge market to tap into.
You can take a look at the Rapstrap website here and see more about the product and success story here.
The Rapstrap has pretty much the same uses as the regular nylon cable ties, except it reduces the waste of plastic by a large percentage because one Rapstrap can be used upto 3 or 4 times. The number of cable ties used each year is estimated to be around the same number as carrier bags used, so that's a huge market to tap into.
You can take a look at the Rapstrap website here and see more about the product and success story here.
iTeddy - Educational Kid's Gadget
This product has been ridiculously successful in the UK, topping a lot of gadget sales lists in 2011.
29-year-old Bolton entrepreneur Imran Hakim secured 140,000 pounds for this toy which brings teddies into the 21st century. The teddy has a detachable personal media player built in which can play bedtime stories, cartoons and much more besides. The RRP is around £50, which makes it a perfect price point for a children's Christmas gift.
Read more about the story here on the iTeddy website.
29-year-old Bolton entrepreneur Imran Hakim secured 140,000 pounds for this toy which brings teddies into the 21st century. The teddy has a detachable personal media player built in which can play bedtime stories, cartoons and much more besides. The RRP is around £50, which makes it a perfect price point for a children's Christmas gift.
Read more about the story here on the iTeddy website.
Worthenshaws - Healthy Foods
Kirsty Henshaw was a single mum when she applied to Dragon's Den, and her pitch has been called the best pitch ever, due to the likeability of Kirsty - I challenge you to watch the video of it below and not tear up too!
The product was a range of ice-creams free from allergens, sugar and artificial additives. Kirsty has a son with a serious allergy and so wanted to make delicious food which is suitable for food allergy sufferers, as well as for people watching their weight or sugar intake.
If you'd like to read more, click here
The product was a range of ice-creams free from allergens, sugar and artificial additives. Kirsty has a son with a serious allergy and so wanted to make delicious food which is suitable for food allergy sufferers, as well as for people watching their weight or sugar intake.
If you'd like to read more, click here
curated content from YouTube
Reggae Reggae Sauce
Levi Roots is the most well-known of all Dragon's Den successes, and his original pitch to launch Reggae Reggae sauces has resulted in his sauces selling in top UK supermarkets, a recipe book being published, a restaurant being opened, a song being released, a Reggae Reggae sauce pizza being sold at Dominos and much more!
The Reggae Reggae sauce is a Jamaican jerk spice, made from Levi's grandma's recipe, although it was more Levi's personality and memorable pitch which launched him and his business.
If you would like to read an interview with Levi Roots, click here, and for his official website click here.
The Reggae Reggae sauce is a Jamaican jerk spice, made from Levi's grandma's recipe, although it was more Levi's personality and memorable pitch which launched him and his business.
If you would like to read an interview with Levi Roots, click here, and for his official website click here.
Chocbox - Cable Connector Cover
When electrical cables are joined together, the chocbox is used to simply enclose the connection safely and insulates and protects it.
Click here to visit the official website, and here for the success story.
Click here to visit the official website, and here for the success story.
YoudooDolls - Personalised Dolls
Youdoo Dolls are DIY voodoo dolls which you can personalise with the face of yourself, a friend or a family member. This product has done really well in the novelty gift market, and have since branched out into pet dolls and superhero designs. I personally identified with this story because I love creative fun products and it's the kind of business I would love to have...one day :-)
Click here to visit the official website and go here for updates about the business.
Click here to visit the official website and go here for updates about the business.
curated content from YouTube
Magic Whiteboard
Neil and Laura Westwood came up with an innovative portable whiteboard which will stick to anything - so bulky flip-charts and stands don't have to be moved around.
The Westwoods managed to turn the £100,000 investment from Theo and Deborah into a 50% profit margin in just two years.
Click here to read the success story and here for the official website.
The Westwoods managed to turn the £100,000 investment from Theo and Deborah into a 50% profit margin in just two years.
Click here to read the success story and here for the official website.
MyDish - A Recipe Sharing Website
MyDish is a website community for cooking enthusiasts, where recipes can be shared. In a 'Den first', the final investment offered by the Dragons was double what was asked for - now that's a result!
The website now gets 10,000 visitors a day.
Click here for the official website, and here for the full story.
The website now gets 10,000 visitors a day.
Click here for the official website, and here for the full story.
curated content from YouTube
Foldio - Easily Portable Portfolios
Foldio is a portfolio which halves the size of artwork by folding it rather than creasing it, thus making the portfolio much more portable and easier to carry around. It is aimed mainly at art and design students.
Christian Lane was only 19 when he entered the Den and after receiving investment from Theo aka 'Mr Stationery', the Foldios went on to be sold in Ryman (Theo's store).
Click here for the company history of Foldio.
Christian Lane was only 19 when he entered the Den and after receiving investment from Theo aka 'Mr Stationery', the Foldios went on to be sold in Ryman (Theo's store).
Click here for the company history of Foldio.
The Wand Company - Kymera Magic Wand Gadget
Fitting perfectly into wizardry/Harry Potter mania, this is the world's first magic wand! It has become amazingly popular all over the world and can be used as a buttonless remote control for a wide variety of household appliances - making it look like you can perform magic. By moving the wand in different ways, you can produce different results - for instance, rotating the tip clockwise could turn up the volume on the TV, whilst flicking the wand upwards could change channel...how cool is that!
Duncan Bannatyne offered £200,000 but the investment was turned down.
Click here to read about their progress, and click here to visit the official site.
Duncan Bannatyne offered £200,000 but the investment was turned down.
Click here to read about their progress, and click here to visit the official site.
True Call - A Nuisance Phone Call Blocker
This product blocks all kinds of annoying calls, from silent calls to telemarketers, and because of the demand for such a product, every Dragon offered investment for the business True Call. In the end, Peter Jones alone invested the £200,000 (since Peter has experience in telecoms) and the product has done very well since.
Click here for an interview with Steve Smith, the owner of TrueCall, and click here to go to the main website.
Click here for an interview with Steve Smith, the owner of TrueCall, and click here to go to the main website.
More Success Stories
- Igloo Thermo Logistics
- The story of a refrigerated courier service for frozen foods.
- Razzamataz
- A dancing school which Duncan invested in.
- Magic Pizza
- A device which improves a pizza's taste by eliminating the soggy middle.
- Magnamole
- A magnetic cable guide invention.
- Vintage Patisserie
- Glamorous and classy vintage themed business which organises tea parties as well as selling custom products.
- Value My Stuff
- An online valuing service for people's antiques and valuables.
- Goldgenie
- A gold-plating service for all kinds of products from mobile phone cases to bath taps.
- YogaBugs
- Now the largest children's yoga company in the UK.
Dragon's Den Related Books
Businesses Which Didn't Get Investment
The 'ones that got away' - businesses which failed to get investment (or turned investment down) in the Den but went on to be successes anyway.
- Trunki
- Kid's suitcase business which now sells thousands all around the world.
- Tangle Teezer
- This detangling hair brush is now stocked in Boots stores.
- Rakastaka
- A very simple idea for letting you stack wine bottles securely.
- Stable Table
- The story of the complete process to create this very simple product.
- Applied Language Solutions
- A translation company which exceeded it's turnover estimates after the Den.
- Waterbuoy
- A floating key fob for sailors.
- Destination London
- A board game which went on to be the top seller at Hamleys.
- Illoom Balloons
- 5 million of these luminous balloons were sold in a year.
- Road Refresher
- A travel water bowl for dogs which prevents spillages when on the move.
- Cup-A-Wine
- A glass of wine sold in a disposable cup, so you can drink it whenever and wherever.
- Mask-arade
- A novelty mask company, perfect for parties and events.
Dragon's Den Products On Sale
The Dragons & Their Investments
- James Caan
- A list of investments including Rapstrap and Razzamataz.
- Duncan Bannatyne
- Background info, tips, videos and his Twitter news.
- Deborah Meaden
- Info on the businesses Deborah invested in.
- Overall Investment Amounts
- Find out which Dragon has invested the most money overall.
- Peter Jones
- News and updates on all of Peter's investments.
- Theo Paphitis
- Read his biography to see how he got to where he is.
- Hilary Devey
- Read the background of the newest Dragon.
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Apr 2, 2012 @ 9:26 am | delete
- Great story sir, realy nice lents. I radit with interest.
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