On the evening of March 12, 2026, viewers across the UK tuned in for another lively episode of the BBC’s enduring business reality show, Dragons’ Den. As the studio lights came up, a new mix of entrepreneurs prepared to pitch their ideas to a formidable panel of investors: Jenna Meek, Peter Jones, Deborah Meaden, Steven Bartlett, and Touker Suleyman. The night featured a flurry of innovation, passion, and a few nail-biting negotiations, as founders vied for both capital and mentorship to propel their ventures to the next level.
First into the den was Laura Murphy, a Northern Irish mother and founder of Oatco Superfuel. Launched in 2024, her brand offers a range of natural oat-based snacks and breakfast options designed for busy families and professionals. Oatco’s signature products include oat and date-based energy balls, available in flavors like caramel crisp, pistachio crisp, and peanut butter crisp. These energy balls, which come in pouches of two and are sold in boxes of seven for £22, promise slow-release energy and fiber—making them a nutritious alternative to many sugary, on-the-go snacks. The company also markets overnight oat pouches in flavors such as banana biscuit, choco boost, and berry boost, which can be prepared directly in the pouch and are ready in as little as two hours. At the time of filming, all three overnight oat flavors had sold out, a testament to their popularity.
Murphy’s pitch was for £50,000 in exchange for 5% equity, a bold ask in a highly competitive market. She explained that Oatco Superfuel products were already stocked in 150 retail stores and available online, with imminent plans to launch in Tesco. “My product has balls,” she joked, highlighting the playful side of her business. Steven Bartlett, always quick with feedback, praised the taste—calling the balls “absolutely banging”—but raised concerns about the sugar content. Murphy responded by noting the team was working to reduce sugar and emphasizing the energy balls’ slow-release benefits. Deborah Meaden acknowledged oats as a superfood but cited sugar as a sticking point and declined to invest. Jenna Meek, unfamiliar with the food sector, offered half of the requested sum for 7.5% if another Dragon would match her. Touker Suleyman, with his deep retail background, agreed to partner with Jenna. Ultimately, Bartlett offered the full amount for 17.5%, but Murphy negotiated him down to 15%—a deal she accepted, breathing a sigh of relief as she left the den.
Next up were John and Jamie O’Donnell, a father-and-son team from Scotland, with their invention: the Screw Caddy. Conceived during lockdown, the Screw Caddy is a nifty tool designed to keep screws straight and secure when drilling, reducing the risk of injury and making one-handed drilling much easier. Retailing for just £3.99 and available in black, yellow, and red, the Screw Caddy is patent-pending and aims to address a common frustration among DIY enthusiasts. The duo sought £50,000 for 40% equity.
The Dragons put the product through its paces. Deborah Meaden tried out the caddy, while Steven Bartlett questioned its durability after repeated use. Jenna Meek expressed concern about giving away a large equity stake, and Peter Jones noted the price point was higher than a typical packet of screws. Despite the skepticism, Deborah made a decisive move, offering all the money for 30% equity—insisting she didn’t want to be a majority shareholder. The O’Donnells accepted her offer on the spot, clearly thrilled to have secured a Dragon’s backing.
The third pitch of the night brought a burst of energy—and a chicken costume. Fred Parry, founder of Chicken Rush, entered the den in full poultry regalia, cracking jokes about being “a roasted chicken in there.” Chicken Rush, launched in 2022, is a GPS-powered city-wide hide-and-seek game where teams compete to find the “chicken” hiding in pubs or bars. Players use a live map on their phones, which gradually shrinks to reveal the chicken’s location, and earn extra points by completing challenges. The game can be played casually among friends or organized as a corporate event, with prices starting at £10 per person. Parry’s business had turned over £55,000 in its first year and forecasted £164,000 in its second, all without any full-time staff. He sought £50,000 for 10% equity.
The Dragons were entertained but divided. Steven Bartlett found the pitch distracting and was unclear about what exactly he’d be investing in—a scalable platform or a quirky event business. Peter Jones and Steven ultimately bowed out, while Deborah Meaden and Jenna Meek praised Parry’s creativity but didn’t see a fit for their investments. Despite not securing a deal, Parry left the den with a smile and plenty of encouragement.
Rounding out the evening was Rachel Williams, a physiologist with a background in pharmacology and a decade of experience supporting Team GB across three Olympic and Paralympic Games. Williams founded Albus & Flora in 2022, a skincare brand focused on protecting lips and the skin around the mouth from sun damage. The brand’s hero product is an SPF 30 lip shield, priced at £18, featuring peptides, nourishing oils, and botanical extracts. It promises to keep lips soft, hydrated, and protected, and is available in four shades. Albus & Flora also offers a weekly treatment mask for £30, designed to exfoliate, plump, and smooth lips while reducing the appearance of lines and wrinkles.
Williams had generated £695,000 in turnover to date and sought £50,000 for a 15% stake. She explained that, while profits had dipped due to infrastructure investment, each of the past three years had still seen a profit of £15,000 to £30,000. The Dragons grilled her on stagnant revenues and the crowded nature of the beauty market. Jenna Meek acknowledged the market’s competitiveness but offered to help Williams get in front of major retailers. Touker Suleyman, however, saw potential in Williams herself, if not the product, and made a creative offer: £50,000 for 35% equity, reducing to 25% once he recouped his investment within 12-18 months. After some back-and-forth negotiation, Williams agreed to 30% equity, dropping to 25% upon repayment. “Great great great great… we’re going to be kings of this thing!” Suleyman exclaimed, delighted with the partnership.
As the credits rolled, the BBC confirmed that Dragons’ Den would return later in the year, promising more entrepreneurial spirit, big dreams, and, no doubt, a few more surprises. For the founders who braved the den this week, the journey has only just begun—and for viewers, the show remains as compelling as ever.