The new series of Dragons’ Den continues with eight more intrepid entrepreneurs pitching to the multi-millionaire investors.

Londoners Krissy Sims and Kerry O’Brien, AKA DJ Trickles and Lady MC, enter the Den with a state-of-the-art turntable extravaganza in the back of their 4×4. The Dragons are often happy to demo a product but it’s the business and how it makes money that remains their ultimate concern.

Husband-and-wife team Liz and Alan Colleran from Dewsbury may be pitching their comfy caravan product, but will their Den experience be quite so luxurious and comfortable?

Elsewhere an Englishman, a Norwegian and a Scot walk into the Den; shades for canines are on offer; there’s a never-before-seen inflatable car-based device; and a Kentish entrepreneur thinks honesty is the best policy when pitching without a formal business plan, but with an offer to help everyone get the perfect looking body for just £20.

Sunday 7 August
9.00-10.00pm BBC TWO and BBC HD

View the original post Dragons’ Den: Liz and Alan Colleran pitch caravan product to Hilary Devey, Duncan Bannatyne, Deborah Meaden, Theo Paphitis & Peter Jones on Unreality TV

It may be a time of austerity in the UK but not so in the Dragons’ Den … business is booming as the self-made multimillionaires return, ready to invest in the best of Britain’s entrepreneurs.

While the rules of the Den remain the same, there is one change in the form of new Dragon Hilary Devey, who joins returning Dragons Duncan Bannatyne, Theo Paphitis, Deborah Meaden and Peter Jones.

Having scrimped, saved and self-sacrificed to make her fortune in the haulage industry, Hilary has her own views on the products and businesses brought before her, and she’s more than happy to take on her rivals in order to get the best deal.

Georgette Hewitt from Kent finds out exactly how nerve-wracking it can be to pitch to the Dragons. It’s a real battle to compose her nerves but one she must win in order to tempt the multimillionaires to invest in her answer to a common birthday party headache familiar to all parents.

Entrepreneurs often take advantage of the latest Government schemes and incentives when building their business, which is exactly what Chris Hopkins from Yorkshire has done by capitalising on the solar power feed-in tariff. But, when a Dragon knows your industry inside-out, it’s not always what you want…

The first episode also sees the most unusual use you could ever think of for a plastic egg; a circus act that’s sure to go with a bang; and a mind-changing massage service. As ever, Evan Davis is on hand to dissect the events, with further action and reaction available through the BBC Red Button.

Sunday 31 July
9.00-10.00pm BBC TWO and BBC HD

View the original post Dragons’ Den returns: Georgette Hewitt faces Hilary Devey, Duncan Bannatyne, Theo Paphitis and Deborah Meaden on Unreality TV

A fast and accurate arts and antiques valuation website service – www.ValueMyStuffNow.com – received a £100k cash investment in return for a 40 per cent share of the business by the Dragons’ Den stars Theo Paphitis and Deborah Meaden on last night’s BBC TWO programme.

The founder, London-based former Sotheby’s director Patrick van der Vorst says his service guarantees an expert valuation from as little as £3.89 within 48 hours, thanks to his team of 40 arts and antiques experts. The website is fast, reliable and good value for money, making art expertise available to all.

The simple to use site requests that you post photographs of your artefact and give a brief description. What’s handy is that you can upload as many photos as you like and any file size is accepted.

Theo Paphitis said, “The service is ideal for use by the antiques trade, serious collectors and keen punters alike. We know from programmes like the Antiques Road Show that many people haven’t a clue about the value of their treasured possessions and ValueMyStuffNow goes a long way to protect them for selling at too low a price.”

Deborah Meaden added, “Patrick’s credentials are superb and he has instant access to specialists who between them have over 975 years of combined experience. Most of them have worked for Sotheby’s or Christie’s and each has specialist knowledge, from art to sports memorabilia to wine.”

Speaking from his office in Victoria, Patrick van der Vorst said, “With the help of my Dragon investors I can put my service on the map both here and in the USA where there is very keen interest in memorabilia, art and antiques. My vision of offering inexpensive valuations to all is about to be realised.”

The website does not buy or advise on where to sell items, so its valuations are completely unbiased and without conflict of interest.

The company was established in September 2009 and in its first year has given 21,000 valuations worldwide to over 12,000 customers.

View the original post Dragons’ Den: Theo Paphitis and Deborah Meaden invest in valuemystuff.com on Unreality TV

The BBC are reportedly considering sacking James Caan, Theo Paphitis and Deborah Meaden from Dragons’ Den and planning to hire some younger millionaires to take their place on the show’s panel.

The News of the World reports that Peter Jones and Duncan Bannatyne will remain on the show but they will be joined by two or three new faces in a bid to revamp the format.

A source said: “The producers are planning a big overhaul of the show. They’re approaching a lot of new businessmen and women – they’d like some younger millionaires and more women on the panel too.”

Bosses have reportedly already approached 28 year old Surrey based entrepreneur, James Simpson.

The source added: “He’s exactly the sort of dragon they want. He’s young, self-made and would bring glamour to the panel.”

A spokesman for the BBC said: “It is far too early to talk about the next series and any comment on who the dragons may be is nothing more than pure speculation.”

View the original post Dragons’ Den 2011: James Caan, Theo Paphitis and Deborah Meaden sacked? on Unreality TV

He was selling his product, the rotamate, a washing line that protects your clothes from the rain, and the birds! Roger was asking for £85,000 for a 15% share in his business. Richard Farleigh declared at an early stage that he would be prepared to offer half the money for about 15% of the business, but when Deborah Meaden offered half the money for 20% of the business Richard changed his mind and decided to ask for the same.

The other Dragons were enraged, Peter Jones and Theo Paphitas even went as far as to advise Roger not to take the deal.

But Roger was desperate for the cash, and the expertise, so he accepted the offer on the table and ended up giving away 40% of his company for £85,000.

View the original post Dragons Den: Rotamate Wins £85,000 on Unreality TV

Denise currently owns 4 Razzamataz theatre schools and has franchised out 6 other branches. Denise was asking the Dragons for £50,000 in exchange for 25% of her business.

The Dragons were impressed by Denise’s pitch but were unsure of what she needed the £50,000 for. She first claimed she could use it to lend to potential franchisees, then changed her mind and said she could use it for marketing.

This seemed to scare off Deborah Meaden, Theo Paphitis and Peter Jones, and Richard Farleigh jumped ship because he thought that Razzamataz faced too big a competitor in Stagecoach.

However Duncan Bannantyne waited until the last final moment to reveal that he had in fact invested in Stagecoach and had sold his investment on for quite a large profit. He shockingly failed to haggle with Denise and offered her the full £50,000 for 25% of the business.

Duncan closed the show by saying:

“How could I haggle? It’ll be a fantastic little business”.

View the original post Dragons Dens: Duncan Bannatyne Invests In Razzamataz Theatre School on Unreality TV

Anthony Coates-Smith & Alistair Turner chances looked slim at first as Peter Jones accused them of having frozen brains for valuing their company at £2 million. however it became apparent that the mens proposal could be a profitable one as a bidding war ensued amongst the Dragons.

Duncan Bannatyne made the first offer of £80,000 for 20%, swiftly matched by Richard Farleigh, who brought the equity down to 15%.

Deborah Meaden and Theo Paphitis tried to undercut them with a bid for 12.5%, followed by Peter Jones, who had clearly warmed to the business.

He offered all the money for 30%, but in the end it was Richard who clinched the deal by suggesting that he and Duncan offered half each for a total of 22.5%.

After a quick chat at the back of the den, Anthony and Alistair chose to go with Richard and Duncan’s offer and secured the £160,000 they needed to expand their business to two further UK locations.

View the original post Dragons’ Den: Duncan Bannatyne Buys Into Igloo on Unreality TV