Emma Grede, co-founder of Skims and fashion mogul, once again captured the audience's attention as she returns to BBC One's Dragons' Den. Grede is back alongside familiar dragons, including Peter Jones, Deborah Meaden, Touker Suleyman, Sara Davies, and Steven Bartlett. The recent episode showcased several innovative products, culminating with hopeful entrepreneurs stepping up to pitch their ideas.
This week's episode highlighted three budding businesses ready to face the dragons. Among them was Elliott Tanner from Powys, who presented his innovative bike storage solution, the SpaceRail. Next was Nitya Dintakurti, showcasing her smart wearable device aimed at alleviating menopause symptoms, named Coolzen. Lastly, brothers Brendon and Jaydon set the stage with their unique range of BBQ sauces and seasonings under the brand LumberjAxe Food Company.
The first entrepreneur to pitch was Elliott Tanner, whose Stashed SpaceRail is set to revolutionize the way people store bikes. Launched just last year, the SpaceRail is ceiling-mounted and allows users to store multiple bikes efficiently, making it ideal for homeowners with limited space. Tanner sought £100,000 for 2.5% of his business, demonstrating the pressing demand for functional storage solutions—and the dragons took notice.
“This is perfect for garages or even the odd shed,” Tanner explained during his pitch. “We’ve made it easy for anyone to store bikes, regardless of how many they have.” The system can accommodate bikes weighing up to 30 kg and is configurable for two to twelve bikes, starting at just £199.99. The need for such storage options cannot be overstated; many households struggle with existing space limitations.
The pitch quickly turned competitive. After Tanner's charismatic presentation, the dragons began to engage in what Evan Davis, the show's narrator, called a “bidding war.” Despite Grede and Jones opting not to invest, the other dragons jumped at the opportunity to get involved. Initially, all the dragons offered enticing investments but with varying stakes.
Touker Suleyman led the charge with excitement when he first proposed 10% ownership of Stashed and later adjusted his offer. Deborah Meaden, Sara Davies, and Steven Bartlett were quick to counteroffer, continually shuffling the stakes during tense negotiations. “It’s not just about the money; it’s about who you want as your partner,” Tanner noted, observing the rapid developments.
Eventually, the agreements settled, resulting in Tanner securing just the deal he desired. After intense negotiating, Suleyman accepted 7% of the business initially, dropping to 4% post-repayment. Tanner successfully walked away with the full £100,000 he requested, indicating the dragons’ confidence and belief in his vision for Stashed.
Next up was Nitya Dintakurti, introducing the Coolzen, her answer to managing hot flushes and menopause symptoms. The Coolzen is a smart wearable neck device crafted to sense hot flushes and provide relief within seconds through targeted cooling technology. Dintakurti aimed to secure investment to meet the overwhelming demand for her product, which even faces stock challenges due to popularity.
“It can connect to the Unpause mobile app, allowing users to control cooling settings,” she stated, hoping to convince the dragons of the Coolzen’s potential. But would the dragons see it as game-changing? The wearable fights against the aggravations of menopause—an issue for many women—so the stakes were high.
The dragons listened attentively, intrigued by both the product's innovative features and its pressing market demand. It sparked discussions around health technology's growing significance, yet, it remained to be seen if Dintakurti would secure the backing she needed.
Lastly, brothers Brendon and Jaydon pitched their American-inspired BBQ sauces and seasonings through their LumberjAxe Food Company brand. The duo showcased their flavors, including backyard BBQ, Louisiana Cajun, and moonshine mango. They aimed to secure funding to expand their reach, already selling products through various garden centers and farm shops across the UK.
“We've created pairs of sauces and seasonings perfect for any backyard BBQ,” Brendon claimed with enthusiasm. Their unique flavor profiles caught the dragons’ attention, with plenty of humorous exchanges fueling the atmosphere. Would the taste of their products keep the dragons satisfied?
All three businesses presented during this week’s episode of Dragons' Den showcased not only innovative ideas but also highlighted trends toward sustainable living, women’s health awareness, and culinary experiences. Each entrepreneur left their mark, demonstrating the show’s continuous role as an incubator for new business talent.
The spirit of competition and collaboration made this episode memorable. With Tanner securing the investment and Dintakurti and the LumberjAxe brothers poised for potential partners, viewers were left wondering who else might get their start on the show and what groundbreaking inventions might be next to grace the den.