Dragons’ Den is a reality TV programme that allows entrepreneurs to pitch their business ideas to a panel of venture capitalists, called Dragons, so that they can hopefully secure an investment from one of them.
Many entrepreneurs have graced the Dragons with their business’s potential. Some lucky entrepreneurs have walked away with thousands of pounds of funds, while many left the stage empty handed. Seeing as though startups have a failure rate of 90%, according to Exploding Topics, it might be safe to say that some Dragon-funded companies may not even exist today.
But we aren’t focusing on failure today. Here, we celebrate the top 10 Dragons’ Den success stories.
The Top 10 Companies From Dragons’ Den
These companies walked into the Dragons’ Den with open hands, and today they are worth millions. From personalised books for kids, to gluten free frozen meals and craft gin subscriptions, these companies drove innovation in their respective industries and secured themselves a seat as the top 10 companies from Dragons’ Den.
Wonderbly (Then ‘Lost My Name’)
Lost My Name, now known as Wonderbly, was founded by a group of dadpreneurs. The company creates personalised books for kids and adults and publish their stories across 40 countries around the globe.
Wonderbly has published over 70 stories to date and won the Children’s Publisher of the Year 2021.
Kirsty’s (Then ‘Worthenshaw’s’)
Worthenshaw’s, now Kirsty’s walked into the Dragon’s Den with delicious ice cream alternatives, and today Kirsty’s provides a large selection of frozen meals that gluten-free, dairy-free, low on calories and allergy conscious.
Kirsty’s meals are stocked in Sainsbury’s, Waitrose, Ocado and Asda and their meals are suitable to be enjoyed by the whole family.
Skinny Tan
Skinny Tan was created by real women, for real women, and provides self tanning products that are both good for the skin and easy to apply. Skinny Tan was offered investment from all five Dragons after pitching, and sure enough became the company it is today.
Skinny Tan’s products are also made of 99% naturally derived, cruelty-free, vegan friendly ingredients.
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Trunki
Trunki walked into the den and walked straight back out without a single cent. Of course, the dragons soon expressed their regrets and today Trunki is considered to be one of the Den’s most successful ‘rejects’.
Trunki is a popular children’s suitcase brand and has recently been sold in a deal thought to be worth over £12 million. Their suitcases have the functionality that adults value, and the personality that kids adore.
Levi Roots Reggae Reggae Sauce
Levi Roots has become a household name after securing a dragon’s investment. They produce hot BBQ sauces with a Caribbean twist, and tell their customers to “put some music in their food”.
Today, Reggae Reggae sauces stocked in major UK supermarkets the brand has expanded its range to include chilled ready meals, pasties, and Caribbean-flavoured soft drinks.
Tangle Teezer
Tangle Teezer was created by a former hair colourist – a hair comb with 400 teeth that can easily detangle wet and dry hair. Tangle Teezer did not receive funding from the dragons as the product was still in development at the time.
Today, Tangle Teezer is valued at millions of pounds and is endorsed by many celebrities, including Princess Kate Middleton and Kate Moss.
Look After My Bills
Look After My Bills is a free energy auto-switching service. Look After My Bills searches for better energy deals and automatically switches customers to that deal to save them hours of comparing prices.
Look After My Bills members are assured to always get the best deals, and they are protected from rip off tariffs.
Magic Whiteboard
Magic Whiteboard created the magic whiteboard and secured investment from a dragon for their product. The magic whiteboard is created from a roll, and can be cleaned, reused, and recycled.
Today, Magic Whiteboard provides an extended range of smart stationary products.
Gripit
GripIt Fixing’s founder made history when he became the youngest entrepreneur to ever secure investment on the show at just 18 years-old. The Gripit patented solution firmly fixes screws into plasterboard so that it can hold 180kg in weight.
Today, Gripit is available in over 5,000 trade and diy stores across the UK, the US, Canada, Europe, Australia and New Zeeland.
Pouch
Pouch is a free browser extension that finds and shows users the best discount codes available while shopping online. Pouch is valued at millions of pounds today.
Pouch now shows users discount codes for over 3,500 retailers, including ASOS, Amazon, Argos, Currys, Debenhams, Gap and John Lewis.