dragons den business plan template

Are you preparing a Dragons’ Den pitch? Here are 10 top tips!

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• Dragons’ Den is a TV program where inventors/entrepreneurs pitch their product or concept to multimillionaires – aka Dragons
• In return for their investment, Dragons receive equity in the business
• Unsuccessful pitches are usually the result of a lack of research, products that won’t make money and poor business financials
• Successful pitches are the result of well-prepared presentations, products with a substantial market value, and entrepreneurs/investors who are passionate and committed to their product
• It has been known for products rejected on Dragons’ Den to go on to become a big success
• The key is to ensure you do your market research, competitor analysis, and feasibility studies from early on in your product/service design process

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A re you an inventor or entrepreneur looking to get your product off the ground or expand into different markets? Dragons’ Den is a reality television business program where aspiring inventors or entrepreneurs get to pitch their business concept or prototype to five multimillionaire investors. A typical pitch consists of you introducing yourself, presenting your concept/product, stating how much investment you need, and the percentage of your business/equity you’ll give in return. Appearing on the show is an incredible opportunity but also a nerve-wracking one. If you’re preparing for your Dragons’ Den pitch, here are our top tips:

• Research the Dragons: What are the investors looking for?
• Know your product inside out: Who are your competitors, and what makes you different?
• Understand your market: Who are your customers, and is there room for growth?
• Bring something tangible: Do you have a prototype or visual you can show?
• Know your numbers: What’s the difference between your gross and net profit?
• Practice your pitch: Have you done a trial run and implemented feedback others gave?
• Be honest and transparent: Do you have any debts, other investors, or associated risks?
• Demonstrate your passion and commitment: Don’t be rude or argumentative
• Be prepared to negotiate: What is the most equity percentage you’ll give for investment?
• Swallow your pride: What are your weaknesses, and where do you need help?

Regardless of whether you’re preparing a Dragons’ Den pitch or not, following these tips will help you in any scenario where you’re presenting a proposal for investment, funding, or financing.

Preparing a Dragons’ Den pitch tip #1: Research the Dragons

Unlike with a bank or grant, when you go onto Dragons’ Den, you’re asking people to invest their time, money, and business acumen in your idea. Researching who they are, and the kinds of investments they’ve made in the past is essential. Each of the five Dragons has a different area of expertise (e.g. technology, sustainability, fashion, DIY and crafts, and social media), so ensure that you craft a pitch that will resonate or appeal to at least two of them.

‘Serial investor’ and former dragon, Deborah Meden, says that nearly all unsuccessful applicants make the same mistake [1] : they don’t think about what the investor wants and how they will make a return on their investment. What investors want to know:

• What in particular can I bring to the table – besides money – that will make your business succeed?
• Am I the right fit for your company?
• Is there an exit strategy? Investors want to get 3-4 times their money back within 5 years – how do you plan on making that happen?
• Do I have a potential conflict of interest with another business I’ve invested in?

Know the dragons, but be careful of blatantly targeting anyone in particular. Remember that dragons have egos, too: making one feel that their offer isn’t good enough for you’re holding out for an offer from someone else – is almost guaranteed to have them withdraw and potentially leave you with no offers on the table.

Dragons’ Den pitch tip #2: Know your product inside out

The Dragons will ask probing questions about every aspect of your product or service, so ensure you know every detail inside out: failing to answer questions accurately could decrease their interest significantly, so preparation is essential here.

Retail and fashion mogul Touker Suleyman is well known for putting prototypes and product samples to the test – and breaking them! The last thing you want is to present a prototype for a backpack for children, and the strap falls off as soon as he pulls it.

Dragons’ Den pitch tip #3: Understand your market

It is crucial to thoroughly understand your target market, including who your customers are and how much they are willing to pay for your product or service. The Dragons will want to know if there is enough demand for your product or service to make it profitable.

• Who is your competition? What makes your product better?
• Does your idea or product have the capacity for growth?
• If your product is already on the market, who has been buying it, and how much have you sold?
• If you have stockists or substantial buyers interested in buying your product once completed, do you have a letter of intent?
• If you have invented a new product or element, do you own the intellectual property rights? Is it patentable? If so, have you applied for one, and where are you with the process?

Dragons’ Den pitch tip #4: Bring something tangible

Visuals such as prototypes or mockups bring pitches alive while also giving dragons something tangible they can interact with. Also, adding stories or anecdotes about products or services adds emotional appeal, encouraging dragons to invest more willingly.

Besides the product or idea you’re presenting, don’t forget that a key ingredient you’re putting on the table is yourself! Tech tycoon Peter Jones , the longest-serving Dragon on the show, “never invests in scruffy people”. Thinking that your product speaks for itself and that you don’t have to look the part would be a mistake.

Dragons’ Den pitch tip #5: Know your numbers

Watch some of the least successful pitches on Dragons’ Den , and you’ll notice another thing they all had in common: applicants didn’t know or understand the financials and couldn’t give answers to make the business figures add up. Dragons want precise and accurate figures regarding the market size, manufacturing costs, retail prices, turnover, margins, gross and net profits, etc. Not knowing any of these answers never goes down well, and it will cause you to fumble and lose confidence – making it difficult to bounce back.

Another issue that many unsuccessful pitches need to improve is over-inflating their valuations and having year-on-year turnovers that are hugely optimistic [2] . When preparing a Dragons’ Den pitch, remember that overly ambitious turnover figures are off-putting and will be spotted – potentially resulting in you losing out and not receiving any offers.

Dragons’ Den tip #6: Practice your pitch

Once you have all of this information ready, it is time to practice your pitch. Make sure that it concisely explains why you believe in your product or service and why potential investors should too. Remember that each Dragon has limited time to decide whether they want to invest so make sure every second counts. Former Dragon Jenny Cambell adds that there are specific pitfalls to avoid falling into [3] :

• Avoid jargon. Don’t feel the need to fill your pitch with industry buzzwords that don’t mean anything
• Don’t be patronising, but don’t assume that they will know all the terminology about your area of business
• Don’t over-explain yourself or include details that aren’t significant or relevant
• Pitch yourself with confidence – but don’t get cocky. Investors invest in people they believe in, so make sure you sound confident, enthusiastic, and genuine.

Dragons’ Den pitch tip #7: Be honest and transparent

You will establish that you are reliable and trustworthy if you’re honest. Nobody will invest tens of thousands in you without scrutiny. Be upfront, from the beginning, about any debts, other investors, or any associated risks that need to be disclosed.

Dragons’ Den pitch tip #8: Demonstrate your passion and commitment

While being passionate appeals to potential investors, avoid being rude or argumentative if/when you’re critiqued: remain objective and professional at all times, even if you disagree. This will ensure everyone stays focused on reaching an agreement rather than getting put off by a disagreeable attitude.

Dragons’ Den pitch tip #9: Be prepared to negotiate

Go into negotiations with an idea of what percentage stake in your business you are willing to give away and how much money needs to be injected into your business model for it to succeed. Having these figures ready when you’re preparing for your Dragons’ Den pitch will help ensure a successful outcome for everyone involved. Understand that the higher the risk investors are being asked to take, the higher the equity percentage they’ll want in return.

The Dragons admire strong negotiators , so don’t be too scared to give them counter-offers – provided it’s justified. Remember that there’s more than money on the table when negotiating. Dragons are also bringing in their distribution networks, business contacts, and market expertise – which is often well worth the extra 20-30% more equity you were prepared to give.

If you did your research on the Dragons, this is where that information also comes in handy. For example, you’ve developed a potentially lucrative dogs’ clothing line and are asking for a £100,000 investment in return for 10% equity. All the Dragons have put in offers, but they all want 30% equity because it will take much more work than you estimated. By seeing if two Dragons (e.g. the retail and social media experts) would be willing to split the investment and equity 50-50, you would effectively get two Dragons for the price of one – even if you’ve given away more equity than you initially wanted to.

Dragons’ Den pitch tip #10: Swallow your pride

Have a clear idea of your weaknesses, where to improve, and what you need help with. By acknowledging the gaps in your skillset, you’ll demonstrate your maturity and ability to fill those gaps with a Dragon who has what you lack.

Pride has also cost many a potentially successful applicant to walk away empty-handed (e.g. not wanting to accept a higher equity percentage)- leaving Dragon’s baffled as to how they couldn’t have seen how good the offer was.

Is your proposal pitch-perfect?

Appearing on TV is intimidating enough, and presenting an idea or product that you personally have a lot invested in makes it even harder. Preparing for your Dragons’ Den pitch takes time, practice, and confidence in yourself and your product. Being well-prepared, business savvy, confident, and enthusiastic has seen many inventors and entrepreneurs lay a solid foundation for success.

That said, even if preparing a Dragons’ Den pitch doesn’t go the way you planned, that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s the end of the road. Dragons have been known to get it wrong, and there are many unsuccessful applicants who went on to be hugely successful after being turned down [4] .

Either way, doing your research before getting heavily invested in a product, idea, or concept and conducting proper feasibility studies is an essential starting point. Look at a recent article we published on common product design mistakes and avoid making them yourself.

We’ll be exploring other sources for funding in our series of posts going forward, so subscribe to our newsletter if you’d like to be kept in the loop. Good luck with your Dragons’ Den pitch!

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• Team, T. S. (2021, May 19). How to pitch to a Dragon: Deborah Meaden shares 5 quick-fire investment tips. Startups.co.uk. https://startups.co.uk/funding/investors/how-to-pitch-to-a-dragon-with-deborah-meaden/
• Dragons’ Den series 15 episode 6 review: It might be boring but know your numbers! (n.d.). Steemit. Retrieved January 25, 2023, from https://steemit.com/investing/@vinecreatives/dragons-den-series-15-episode-6-review-it-might-be-boring-but-know-your-numbers
• How to pitch yourself and your ideas: 6 tips from former ‘Dragon’ Jenny Campbell. (2020, March 20). BBC Bitesize. https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/articles/zhdxqp3
• Failory. (2023, January 23). The 13 Biggest Dragons’ Den Failures. https://www.failory.com/blog/dragons-den-failures

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20 Most Successful Pitches From Dragon’s Den of All Time (Updated 2022)

20 most successful pitches and businesses from dragon’s den of all time.

Table of Contents

Dragon’s Den is a British television series which allows several entrepreneurs to pitch their varying business ideas to a panel of five wealthy investors or Dragons, in the hopes of securing a financial investment while offering a stake in their business in return. The show is presented by Evan Davis.

If you have ever watched an episode of Dragon’s Den, you can understand why the series is so popular. Watching the different entrepreneurs give their pitches can be so exciting, nail-biting even, leaving you wondering whether a Dragon will invest with them or not! It’s no wonder that there have been a total of 17 seasons of the show.

Let’s take a look at the 20 most successful pitches and businesses from Dragon’s Den.

1.    levi roots — reggae reggae sauce.

Singing his Reggae Reggae Sauce song as he was walking into the Den, Levi Roots secured investment from Peter Jones and Richard Farleigh. This was by far, one of the most successful stories to date.

Reggae Reggae Sauces is stocked at all the leading UK supermarkets, expanding his range to cover chilled ready meals, pastries, and Caribbean-flavored soft drinks.

Watch The Pitch:

2. Look After My Bills

The co-founders of Look After My Bills walked away with the best deal in the history of Dragon’s Den. Both Jenny Campbell and Tej Lalvani were interested and offered £130 000 for only a 3% stake in the business.

The company has since grown in the upwards of 200 000 members and is worth more than £12.5 million after it was purchased by GoCompare.

3. Mainstage Travel

When Mainstage Travel appeared on Dragon’s Den, the business was already hitting revenue figures of £1.6 million and £257 000 profit. It is no wonder that Meaden, Jones, Bannatyne, and Linney all made investment offers.

Now, Mainstage Travel has expanded, offering additional youth packages and their revenue figures are now well above those pitched in the Den in 2014.

4. ReviveAPhone

In 2014, the product was launched in Spain, North America, Switzerland, Scandinavia, and Japan with revenues of £250 000.

In May 2015, Murphy had big plans to deal with mobile giant Carphone Warehouse to make the brand available for anyone to purchase, alongside a launch of a new product line, water-resistant invisible coatings for smartphones.

5. A pproved Food

Approved Food helps families save some 70% on their shopping by selling food and drink that is approaching or past its sell-by date.

Despite not getting an investment on Dragon’s Den, Approved Food was able to secure funding and eventually had a turnover of £4 million and over 3000 orders per week by 2015. The company has expanded, specializing in pet products, sweets, and natural foods.

6. Skinny Tan

After appearing on Dragon’s Den in 2013, the company secured a deal with Boots and launched Skinny Tan in Spain, Canada, South Africa, and Dubai.

In June 2015, Skinny Tan had been acquired by InnovaDerma for an 80% stake in the business. Within the next year, it is said that the revenue figures are to reach a staggering £2.2 million.

7. Umbrolly

Despite Umbrolly receiving investments from both Duncan Bannatyne and Peter Jones, the deal collapsed 7 months later. The founder, Charles Ejogo, set up a new business without his original business partners.

Between 2008 and 2010, Ejogo grew this new business nationally and internationally. The business still operates to this day, offering its products to new and existing customers.

Click On The Link To Watch This Pitch!

The founder of iGlove is Rajan Jerath. At the same time as demonstrating the iGlove, he demonstrated another invention, Bluetooth gloves. These gloves have an in-built speaker and microphone so users don’t have to take their phone out of their pocket, perfect for runners, cyclists, and mothers pushing prams.

Both Jones and Jenkins offered £75 000 for a 20% stake in the business whereas, Touker Suleyman offered the same amount for 15%.

The co-founders turned the offers down, saying that the business was worth so much more.

TickX attracted more than 1 million users and they were able to raise £750 000 in funding. The successful business launched the world’s first Facebook Messenger chatbot, which can rapidly find results from TickX’s search engine.

10. TEC-Angel

The biggest problem that the Dragons had with his pitch, was a name that was used on his packaging. The name he used was Arc Angel, and this he said was soon to change to TEC-Angel as they didn’t own the rights to trade with Arc Angel.

TEC-Angel is currently doing well and won the Integrated Home Award at the 2019 Smart Home Expo at the National Exhibition Center in Birmingham.

11. Pedaldish

The owner of Petvictus, Pete Hill, started his company in 2018 with two flagship products, Pedaldish: The Lunchbox for Pets and Katfone: The Ultrasonic Whistle for Cats. When using these products together, they help to ensure that pet food is eaten and doesn’t spoil.

Deborah Meaden is obsessed with all things cats and offered an investment of £30 000 for a 33.3% stake in the business. However, the deal fell through after the show.

Currently, Pete is improving his design of Pedaldish and promoting his inventions.

12. Tickle Tots

Sophia Ferguson, the founder of Tickle Tots, offers environmentally-friendly nappies and accessories. Dragon Touker Suleyman offered an investment of £50 000 for a 50% stake in the business and agreed to drop to 40% after Touker made his money back.

Sadly, the investment didn’t go through after Tickle Tots appeared on the show.

13. Aquatina Bottle

Owner of Aquatina, Guy Jeremiah, walked into the Den looking for £100 000 for a 10% stake in the business. It was an intense pitch, as Duncan Bannatyne threw one of the water bottles at Guy.

Despite not getting an offer from any one of the Dragons, Aquatina is available in over 300 stores in the UK with an international distribution that covers over a dozen countries.

After the appearance on Dragon’s Den, Pouch gained 60 000 new users and, as of May 2018, had hot 100 000 downloads.

Despite getting no offers while on the show, Trunki secured a £4 million funding from the Business Growth Fund in 2013.

The Trunki brand is continuing its growth with a revenue of £8.13 million!

16. Hungryhouse

Raiding £150 000 from alternative businesses led them to increase their restaurant partners to 2500 partners in 2010.

In February 2013, Hungryhouse was acquired by Delivery Hero, a Berlin-based competitor.

17. Swing Patrol

Scott Cupit, the founder of Swing Patrol, released a book after appearing on Dragon’s Den called Swing Dance. The book sold over 5000 copies.

Swing Patrol will be launching a charleston fitness program and is organizing a swing initiative for senior citizens.

18. Gripit Fixings

The owner and founder of Gripit Fixings claim the business is now worth £14 million. He is expanding the range of products such as a kit designed specially to hang flat-screen TV’s on the wall.

Watch an interview with Jordan and Deborah: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q-Pmk22uvkY

19. Enclothed

Enclothed continued to flourish even though the investment didn’t go through after the show. They are ranked Top 100 UK Startups for 2014.

The clothing business is signed with over 30 top UK brands such as Ted Baker and Hackett.

Bannatyne’s equity stake proved to be excessive for the founders of Linkee, Tristan Williams, Ben Drummond, and Deon Tempest and they rejected the offer.

Today the quiz game is stocked with leading retail stores Argos, Hamley’s, and Toys R Us. It is also available as a free download for mobiles and tablets. There is even a children’s version of the game called Dinkee, designed with the help of school children.

In Conclusion

When looking at the 20 most successful businesses that appeared on Dragon’s Den , most of these businesses were not invested in. In fact, some investments fell through after the show and some were scoffed at, bottles were thrown and a Dragon broke a strap of a suitcase.

Yet, despite the criticism these businesses received, the entrepreneurs pushed on. And now they are part of the world’s multi-millionaires. There is a lesson all of us can learn: never give up and believe in yourself, because who knows what you are capable of!

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Perfecting your ‘dragon’s den’ style pitch.

We’ve all seen those episodes of Dragon’s Den where the entrepreneurs are being asked what should be a relatively simple question about their business plan or financials but respond with a red-faced ‘ ummmm , I’m not sure’. There are certain key facts about your business which you are expected to know and this blog covers how to make sure you’re well-versed in the key areas of your business. 

Why should I have an elevator pitch? 

Not only are elevator pitches useful for presenting to potential investors, but they can be a great way of making sure you are confident in explaining your business to others too. Imagine you’re at a friend’s dinner party and unexpectedly meet someone who could be a really good contact to help you grow your business . When they ask you what the business does, you don’t want to be caught off guard – instead you’ll make a more positive and lasting impression if a short, engaging e xplanation of your business and its key highlights. According to mindtools.com , you should try and get your message across in 20-30 seconds.

What should be in my elevator pitch? 

Our Credit Manager , Simon, has the task of approving our start-up loan business applications, most of which start with an ‘executive summary’, not to dissimilar to an elevator pitch. Here is some advice from Simon on what topics should be in your overall pitch :

• Define a clear goal for your pitch  
• What is the gap in the market  
• How are you addressing this i.e. what is your USP  
• Why is there a need for this in the market (supported by market research)    
• What progress have you made so far?   
• Summarise your key financials   
• What do you need to advance especially from them e.g. financial support, supplier relationship, contacts etc.   

T op t ips on delivering the perfect overall pitch

       1.Tell them your story  

• P eople buy from people and a genuine and r elatable story is likely to be more memorable than sounding like you’re reading a business plan.  

       2. Engage your audience  

• Ask them about their experiences in the market, if they have encountered the same struggles you have, or si mply if they have any questions .  

       3. Be concise  

• Don’t waffle – keep the pitch short and engaging telling them the pertinent points only. There will be plenty of opportunity to expand later but you need to capture their attention first .  

       4. Be passionate  

• If you don’t sound interested in your own business you cannot expect others to be either – your audience will feed off your energy.  

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Dragon’s Den for Business English Students

Quick Guide

• Keywords: Multimedia, business pitch, peer evaluation
• Learner English level: Intermediate and above
• Learner maturity: University
• Preparation time: 2 hours
• Activity time: Two 90-minute lessons
• Materials: Dragon’s Den (DVD from Amazon, or watch on YouTube), laptop, display, whiteboard, pens

This activity enables students to use teamwork, creativity and organizational skills to formulate and present a business idea. The first lesson sets the scene, provides examples of business pitches for the students, and gives them a chance to practice their listening skills. In the second lesson the students pitch their business plan to teacher and peers, who evaluate before deciding whether to invest in it. They then reflect and give feedback on each other’s pitches.

Preparation

Choose an episode of Dragon’s Den of relevance to your students. Pre-watch the episode and make a note of useful vocabulary or cultural references that might need explaining.

Step 1: Put students into groups and get them to discuss what constitutes a good business plan. Get each group to share their ideas with the class and make notes.

Step 2: Introduce the premise of Dragon’s Den: Contestants pitching their business ideas to potential investors - the dragons.

Step 3: Pre-teach any difficult language points or cultural references from the episode.

Step 4: Watch an episode of Dragon’s Den. Tell students to make notes about how the ideas are pitched, the questions the dragons ask, and why the dragons invest in the product

Step 5: Review the episode, asking students for the ideas they made notes on. Ask the students to reflect on how these ideas link to their original ideas.

Step 6: Tell the students they will participate in their own Dragon’s Den and each group has to think of their own product, something that they as students might need or find useful.

Step 7: Prepare a pitch following some of the business plan ideas discussed in class. Each pitch should be 2 to 3 minutes long. Review points on how to give a good pitch. For example: attracting the investor’s attention, highlighting your USP (unique selling point), being sure of the facts and figures about your product and knowing the competition.

Step 1: Give students 10 to 15 minutes preparation time. Then select 4 students from other groups to be your fellow ‘dragons’.

Step 2: Sit with the other dragons at the front of the class, ask the ‘pitchers’ to stand in front of you and begin the pitches.

Step 3: After each pitch, encourage the dragons to ask questions to the contestants, and then decide whether to invest or not in their product. Dragons must give reasons why they invested or not. What attracted them to the product, why they thought it would succeed, and so on.

Step 4: Repeat step 2 and 3 until all the pitches are complete, using different dragons each time. Get each group to give feedback on which pitches they thought were good and the reasons why.

This lesson proved to be one of the most popular on my Business English course. The first lesson provided the students with the context and words that they could utilize in pitches, while the role play element of the second lesson really allowed students to shine. Students who had been quiet throughout the course surprised me with their imaginative pitches, or in their role as an authoritative dragon.

Interested in getting started? Get the free info pack to find out more

Are you interested in making a Dragons’ Den pitch?

“Innovate are here to help you succeed with your Dragons’ Den pitch.”

As the leaders in the field of helping individual inventors and with our unique range of services and experience Innovate’s team can help you prepare for the Dragons.  Our services provide a range encompassing background patent searching, full design services and visualisation work, as well as physical prototyping.  We also provide integrated Intellectual Property and marketing advice and support.  Request a Free Info Pack for further advice.

Over the years we have helped a number of clients successfully prepare for the show.  As a commercial firm,  we are not associated in any way with the BBC , and we can act in your best interests alone.

“We have first-hand knowledge of our clients’ experiences in the Den; which puts us in a unique position to help you prepare.”

The show offers an excellent opportunity for inventors and entrepreneurs in the United Kingdom who are keen to follow in the footsteps of Levi Roots and Kirsty Henshaw.

Innovate will be looking forward to seeing the next generation of entrepreneurs and inventors pitting their wits against this new team of ferocious Dragons!

At Innovate we are always supporting inventors and new ideas so why not  Request  one of our free information packs and take your first steps towards the Den!

Innovate’s latest Clients Chris and Kathryn Baldrey-Chourio – Nana’s Manners to secure £50,000 investment on Dragons’ Den

Innovate Client Kate Castle, BoginaBag, advises you on succeeding in the Den

Kate Castle used our services, and in 2011 made her Den pitch: a lightweight and portable camping toilet, which Innovate helped her design.  A strong, confident pitch convinced Dragon Theo Paphitis to invest £50,000 in her business. The BoginaBag brand is now thriving with Theo’s support and is now on sale across the world.

“It is a big risk to go on Dragons’ Den and absolutely terrifying, but if you have a product you believe in and a business plan that can withhold some pretty tough scrutiny then the rewards are fantastic.”

Kate’s has the following top tips for the presentation itself:

• Be honest and confident in what you say for a successful application.
• In preparation for the Den do your research. I watched hours of episodes and took notes on where people succeeded and where they failed.
• You are only allowed to take the product and nothing else into the Dragons’ Den. They ask for lots of detailed paperwork but you can’t take any in.
• You need to appear confident without being arrogant.
• Remember they want to make an investment; there are no trick questions they just want people to demonstrate that they can make a business work.

Innovate client case study

Dragons’ Den success stories: Latest update from Bog-in-a-Bag

“It is two years since I entered Dragons Den with my product BoginaBag and things have really moved on. Going on Dragons Den not only gives you an opportunity to gain the advice of a “Dragon” but you also gain a huge amount of publicity. There is a real peak after the show is aired and orders went through the roof. 2012 was a tough year for us though and with a terrible Summer, some key customers going under and a natural dip in press coverage, we struggled. It was however with the guidance of Theo and his team and the determination to move to the next level that I prepared for 2013. Deciding that I needed more products to grow the brand, an umbrella brand called Gear to Go was created. This has enabled the launch of new products and the first of these was a foldable water bottle that is now available in all Robert Dyas stores. There are also a number of new lines coming for 2014.

It isn’t just about the new products though and with a new German and Australian distributor coming on board with BoginaBag in early 2013 and a huge increase in customer awareness about the product, June 2013 saw our strongest ever sales. It is after all a product that really needs word of mouth to sell and that seems to have really happened this Summer. So with a new office, revamped website and a renewed excitement for growth, 2014 looks set to be an even bigger year for both Boginabag and Gear to Go.”

Kate Castle

Available to buy here

Innovate clients that pitched to Dragons Den

Nana’s manner, kathryn & chris baldrey-chourio, teirnan mccorkell.

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Is going on Dragon's Den a good idea?

What is Dragons Den? Dragons' Den is a popular television show in the UK in which entrepreneurs pitch their business ideas to a panel of investors, known as the "dragons," in the hopes of securing funding. The show is known for its high-stakes and sometimes tense atmosphere, as the dragons are known for being tough negotiators and are not afraid to speak their minds.

Should I go on Dragons Den? If you are considering going on Dragons' Den, it is important to be well prepared and to have a clear understanding of your business and what you are looking for in terms of funding. You will need to be able to clearly and concisely communicate your business idea and its potential for success, and be able to answer tough questions from the dragons.

It is also a good idea to have a solid business plan in place and to be prepared to make concessions or negotiate terms in order to secure a deal. Being on the show can be a great opportunity to get exposure for your business and potentially secure funding, but it can also be a high-pressure and stressful experience. How do I apply to go on Dragons Den? The process for applying to appear on Dragons' Den, typically involves the following steps:

Check the eligibility requirements: The show has certain eligibility requirements that you must meet in order to apply. These may include things like being over 18 years of age and being the owner or co-owner of a UK-based business.

Fill out the application form: You can find the application form on the Dragons' Den website or through the production company that makes the show. The form will ask you to provide information about your business, including its background, products or services, and financials.

Submit supporting materials: You may be asked to provide additional materials as part of your application, such as a business plan, financial projections, and video footage of your product or service in action.

Wait for a response: The production company will review your application and may invite you to participate in the show if they think that your business is a good fit. This process can take several weeks or even months.

Prepare for the pitch: If you are invited to appear on the show, you will be given guidance on how to prepare for your pitch. This may include rehearsing your presentation, developing a strong pitch deck, and practicing your answers to potential questions.

Pitch to the dragons: On the day of the pitch, you will be given the opportunity to present your business idea to the dragons in a high-pressure and potentially stressful environment. You will need to be able to clearly and concisely communicate your business's value proposition and convince the dragons to invest in your business

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• The Dragons' Den Guide to Investor-Ready Business Plans

By John Vyge

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A comprehensive business plan, based on a concept that has been feasibility tested and for which a sales and marketing strategy is in place, is where the rubber meets the road for the entrepreneur and the investor. The Dragons' Den Guide to Investor-Ready Business Plans is designed to show the entrepreneur how to create a business plan that will get an investor's attention—and money. Case studies from Canadian and US businesses and stories of entrepreneurs who appeared on the Dragons' Den illustrate the key ideas and themes.

• Helps entrepreneurs face the reality of what they are trying to achieve
• Encourages readers to focus heavily on testing their business concept first, before they invest valuable time and resources in a slow-growth or no-growth business idea

The current economic environment is forcing many people to start businesses to supplement their income or replace a lost job. But don't let emotion trump method. The Dragon's Den Guide offers your step-by-step approach to preparing yourself for the harsh but rewarding world of small business ownership.

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Dragons' Den: Discuss, Argue, Persuade

Subject: English

Age range: 11-14

Resource type: Lesson (complete)

Last updated

27 September 2014

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Home > Calculators > Business Valuation Calculator for a Startup

Business Valuation Calculator for a Startup

When a business is seeking investment it needs to decide what percentage of the business it will offer in return for the investment (think dragons den or shark tank). This simple business valuation calculator allows you to enter the investment and the percentage, and then calculates the before and after investment valuations.

By entering details of the projected earnings after tax, the exit year, and high, medium, and low PE ratios, the calculator will calculate high, medium, and low future valuations for the exit year.

Finally, based on the original investment, the business valuation calculator will calculate the investors exit value, gain on investment, return on investment (ROI), and the compound annual growth rate (CAGR).

An investor will normally look for a CAGR of at least 30%, and this startup valuation calculator allows you to amend the various inputs until this is achieved.

Simple Business Valuation Calculator Download

The startup valuation calculator is available for download in Excel format by following the link below.

About the Author

Chartered accountant Michael Brown is the founder and CEO of Plan Projections. He has worked as an accountant and consultant for more than 25 years and has built financial models for all types of industries. He has been the CFO or controller of both small and medium sized companies and has run small businesses of his own. He has been a manager and an auditor with Deloitte, a big 4 accountancy firm, and holds a degree from Loughborough University.

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10 Tips For Creating A Winning Business Plan In Powerpoint

• Executive Summary:
• Market Analysis:
• Marketing and Sales Strategies:
• Management and Operations:
• Financial Projections:
• Investment Requirements:

Are you an aspiring entrepreneur with a great business idea? Do you dream of securing funding and mentorship from successful business leaders? Then the Dragons Den is the perfect platform for you!

The Dragons Den is a popular TV show where entrepreneurs pitch their business ideas to a panel of successful business leaders, known as the Dragons. The entrepreneurs have the opportunity to secure investment and support from the Dragons, in exchange for a stake in their company.

But before you step into the Dragons Den, you need to have a solid business plan in place. A business plan is a document that outlines your business goals, strategies, and financial projections. It is essential for any entrepreneur seeking funding or investment.

Here are some key elements that your Dragons Den business plan should include:

• Executive Summary: This is a brief overview of your business idea, target market, and financial projections. It should grab the attention of the Dragons and entice them to learn more about your business.
• Market Analysis: This section should include research on your target market, competitors, and industry trends. It will show the Dragons that you have a deep understanding of your market and how your business will fit into it.
• Marketing and Sales Strategies: How will you reach your target market and convince them to buy your product or service? This section should outline your marketing and sales strategies, including any unique selling points.
• Management and Operations: The Dragons will want to know who is running the show and how your business will be managed on a day-to-day basis. This section should include information about your team, their roles and responsibilities, and your operational processes.
• Financial Projections: This is a crucial section for the Dragons as they want to see the potential for a return on their investment. Your financial projections should be realistic and based on thorough research and analysis.
• Investment Requirements: Finally, you need to clearly state how much funding you are seeking and how you plan to use it. The Dragons will want to know what they are investing in and what they will get in return.

In addition to these key elements, your business plan should be well-written, organized, and visually appealing. It should also be supported by data and evidence to back up your claims.

Remember, the Dragons Den is a high-pressure environment, and you only have a few minutes to impress the panel. So make sure your business plan is concise, compelling, and well-rehearsed.

With a solid business plan in hand, you are ready to face the Dragons and make your business dreams a reality. Good luck!

How to pitch to a Dragon: Deborah Meaden shares 5 quick-fire investment tips

Our experts

Written and reviewed by:.

The longest-serving female dragon in the Den, serial investor Deborah Meaden has graced our television screens for over 10 years now, hearing countless investment pitches along the way – and her appetite for investment shows no signs of stopping.

An entrepreneur from a young age, Meaden made her fortune in the travel and hospitality sectors, leading a management buyout of family holiday park business Weststar Holidays in 1999. After growing the company to provide holidays for 150,000 people every year, Meaden made a partial exit in 2005 in a deal worth £33m, before selling her remaining shares for a reported £83m two years later.

Having made a little over 50 investments on the series since being introduced in season three, Meaden, who also appeared on Strictly Come Dancing in 2013, certainly has an investor’s eye.

While the thought of entering the Den and pitching in front of five dragons ready to rip apart your business plan would be enough to convince any start-up to stay at home, luckily for us, Meaden isn’t shy when it comes to offering advice.

Speaking on stage as part of Sage Summit UK, the business mogul shared her five quick fire tips for start-ups looking to enter the Den – and come back out with a Dragon on-board…

Think about what the investor wants

Having run the gamut of pitches in her time on the show, Meaden says that nearly all unsuccessful applicants to the Den make the same mistake; they don’t think about what the investor actually wants and how they would make a return on investment.

Meaden argues that entrepreneurs are prone to overloading their presentations with superlatives, spending too much time talking about how marvellous and wonderful their product is –  when all an investor wants is cold hard facts.

“An investor wants to know ‘ why me ?’. Why would I want to get involved in this business? Why am I the right investor for you?”, she explains.

The Somerset-native, who’s invested in the likes of Magic Whiteboard , Zeven Media and MyDish.co.uk, says entrepreneurs just need to think about things from a dragon’s point-of-view:

“I often say to people, pitch from your side, and then listen to your pitch from an investors side. Make sure an investor knows they’re the right fit and why they should be as excited as you are.”

Don’t worry about making mistakes

Over the years, viewers of the hit BBC Two show will have been treated to some amazing ideas, but also, some calamitous pitches.

A tense room with a lot at stake, it’s not unusual for entrepreneurs to fluff their lines, freeze on the spot or even be reduced to tears.

However, like any good entrepreneur, Meaden says that even mistakes can present start-ups an opportunity to showcase their commitment to their cause.

“The best pitches are often the ones that go wrong. I want to see someone who really understands their business. Even if they make a mistake, it proves they haven’t learnt it by rote”.

Meaden recalls how an 18-year old Jordan Daykin entered the Den with his plasterboard fixing start-up GripIt Fixings  – a pitch that skirted disaster but went on to become one of her most successful investment.

Whist showcasing his product to seemingly interested Dragons, Peter Jones decided to take a more ‘hands-on’ approach to determine the suitability of the business and yanked the fixings clean off the wall.

However, a seemingly disastrous development was turned on its head by Daykin, who quickly retorted that wet plasterboard was the real offender, not his product, and this was the clincher for Meaden.

“At that moment, I thought ‘you’ve got something. You didn’t panic. You’ve got absolute competence in your business.”

Investing £80,000 for a 25% stake in the business, the Dragon’s intuition has certainly payed off – with GripIt Fixings becoming valued at £17.5m just 18 months later.

Sure fire proof that entrepreneurs need not panic if everything doesn’t go entirely to plan!

Run the businesses yourself

Taking over from Rachel Elnaugh in August 2006, Meaden admits that over the course of her tenure on the show, she’s actually changed her mind on what type of person and business she’s looking to invest in.

Originally investing solely because of product, the 58-year-old says that she now needs the right attitude and personality, before she’ll part with any cash – and doesn’t want to waste anytime “bolstering the human side”.

“I need calculated risk-takers, I need to understand they have a basic understanding of the mechanisms of business. I kind of assume they understand what P&L is and why cashflow is important.”

Indeed, businesses seeking investment in the Den should be looking for a hand-up not a hand-out and Meaden is clear about what her side of the bargain should entail.

“I should be spending my time helping them grow the business, not run the business. They [business owners] don’t need to be right, they just need to show they’ve got the ability to learn right.”

Keep it simple

It’s a hard truth to take for some, but after the TV cameras turn off normal life resumes for both successful and unsuccessful contestants on Dragons’ Den – with no guarantee of a happy ending. Indeed, even start-ups fortunate enough to receive investment can end up folding.

Meaden says that businesses can sometimes forget why their customers even love them in the first place and lose sight of their actual purpose and end-goal.

Deviating too much from their original pivot, businesses wind up in no man’s land – and few are able to make it back to where they once were.

Urging businesses to remember what really matters, Meaden says start-ups need not complicate the process.

“Business is simple. Do not over complicate it. I really admire people who take what appear to be really complex issues and boil them down so they know exactly what they want to do.

“It’s not easy, it’s very hard. But it’s simple if you allow it to be simply.”

Make sure your business is better not different

For many aspiring entrepreneurs still waiting for their lightbulb moment, identifying sector trends can prove fruitful on determining what type of business to start.

Meaden says that while our fundamental needs such as eating, drinking and having fun haven’t changed, the delivery of such is changing rapidly – and this presents huge opportunities.

“For me, it’s less about sector and more about the innovation behind that sector. Our expectation of delivery is growing”

While the pressure is certainly on for the next big tech start-up, ‘the Queen of the Den’ says that start-ups shouldn’t confuse something being different, for it being better – and should always remind themselves what the real value of their product actually is.

“Is it smarter? Faster? Cheaper? What is it that makes it better? If I can understand that, then I’ll want to get involved with that business.”

For more advice and inspiration from Deborah Meaden click here .

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