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Dragons' Den digest: Week 4
August 03, 2010
Highlights of episode four in the latest series of Dragons' Den.
Quote of the Episode: “You're a Dragon, I trust you” Layla Bennett, Hawksdrift Falconry
Idea 1:
Product: Hawksdrift Falconry - Falconry experience business.
Investment sought: £50,000 for 25 per cent
Handling: Her pitch was succinct and told the Dragons all they needed to know. Honest about need for advice in marketing.
Outcome: A small business that the Dragons felt they could not scale but Duncan saw an opportunity and made an offer to reach the required investment.
Verdict: Good pitch and solid business run by someone who has given their all, reaped the small rewards and now earned an offer from Duncan.
Idea 2
Product: Rotaball - Football on a rotating poll, recreational equipment.
Investment sought: £150,000 for 10 per cent
Handling: His children that performed the demonstration looked to be there under duress and the product seemed weak. Duncan was critical and Theo scathing, “Explain to me how company a selling a ball on a stick can be worth £1.5million.”
Outcome: Weak product and very little to back up his pitch with no written order confirmations. Peter Jones said he should get a “Reality check”
Verdict: Pitch poor, product poor
Idea 3
Product: Blooming High - a stackable plant pot product.
Investment sought: £50,000 for 15 per cent
Handling: A classic example of a hobbyist with a true passion and spotting a gap in a very niche market. The product needed to be less fussy and the business plan was leaky. Initial stock order was huge and now surplus stock needs selling. No distributors taking it on.
Outcome: No investment but some sound business advice from Duncan to help them push on the business (and shift all that existing stock!).
Verdict: Need a business partner to bring some focus to what is a useful niche product that has a patent. Catalogues and shopping channels are a likely source of custom.
Idea 4
Product: Lumacoustics and their ‘Your Wall’ - Indoor graffiti technology
Investment sought: £50,000 for 10 per cent
Handling: The product split the Dragons. Some could not see any potential. The inventors nearly talked themselves out of a deal but got there in the end.
Outcome: After playing hard to get they managed to secure a matched investment of £50,000 for 40 per cent between Deborah Meaden and Peter Jones.
Verdict: A great product that will do well unless the inventors talk themselves into trouble.
- You can replay the episode on the BBC's Dragons' Den micro site
What did you think of the episode?
Related articles:
Dragons' Den digest: Week 2
July 22, 2010
After the exciting start to the new series last week, we are back once again with a bite size round-up of episode two.
Quote of the Episode: "Love the knickers" Theo Paphitis
Idea 1
Product: Subeo ― submarine
Investment sought: £1.45m for 45 per cent equity
Handling: Confident delivery of pitch, a positive start. Dragons were fascinated by the product and enjoyed testing it out. Duncan Bannatyne tested them on their figures. Financial row between the Dragons while pitchers looked on bemused.
Outcome: With a sale price of £595,000 and such a high risk, the Dragons didn't invest.
Verdict: Interesting product but huge financial risk.
Idea 2
Product: Vintage Patisserie
Investment sought: £100,000 for 30 per cent
Handling: Confident delivery, knew her pitch. Brought dancers and sample cakes, knickers and chocolates. Dragons questioned her premises costs and she struggled to remember her figures. Made a heartfelt plea at the end of the questioning. Very passionate.
Outcome: Deborah Meaden offer: £50,000 for 20 per cent, Theo Paphitis offer: £50,000 for 20 per cent ― accepted.
Verdict: Lots of passion and personality but needed to know her figures inside out.
Idea 3
Product: EDH Washing Line ― Motor powered washing line
Investment sought: £80,000 for 25 per cent
Handling: Honest, down to earth, not a traditional sales pitch. He explained both the good and bad points of the product and was honest about the high parts costs. Dragons liked him personally.
Outcome: No offers.
Verdict: Nice natural down to earth pitch but the Dragons thought the price was too high. Peter Jones liked the idea but told him to speak to washing line manufacturers instead.
Idea 4
Product: Shopbox Systems Ltd ― innovative storage system for storing groceries
Investment sought: £250,000 for 10 per cent
Handling: Self-assured pitch in which they explained the product well. Spent almost £1m already. They upset Theo Paphitis after he questioned whether a child could get locked inside. Mentioned that they had other parties interested but wouldn't disclose the details.
Outcome: No offers.
Verdict: They had spent lots of money already and didn't seem to need the investment as they had other offers in the pipeline. Peter Jones said they had made the pitch quite unattractive.
- You can replay the episode on the BBC's Dragons' Den micro site
What did you think of the episode?
Related articles:
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