Lots of the business hopefuls that go onto Dragons’ Den don’t end up with any investments. Even the ones that do drift into obscurity and we don’t really hear about them again. However, there are a few that make it big time. Here are the most successful Dragons’ Den businesses and what products they invented, including the most successful Dragons’ Den pitch in history.
Great ideas are brought into Dragons’ Den, but not all of them can be successful. The Dragons have to work out whether the products are actually going to be worth their time and money. Luckily, the following inventions did just did and became the most successful Dragon’s Den businesses.
The Most Successful Dragons’ Den Products
All of these ideas not only got an investment from a Dragon but went on to become incredibly successful.
The Magic Whiteboard Was Labelled ‘Ridiculous’ By Peter Jones
The Magic Whiteboard was successfully pitched by the husband and wife duo Neil and Laura Westbrook in 2006. The team secured a £100,000 investment from Theo Paphitis and Deborah Meaden, who took 40 per cent of the business combined.
Since then, the revolutionary product has been stocked in Ryman and WH Smith stores, over 1 million roles sold and is distributed in over 20 countries. In 2018, it became the biggest pegboard range in the UK.
The couple even managed to gain full control of the business in 2014, buying out the Dragons who originally invested in it.
Skinny Tan Revolutionised The Beauty World
Louise Ferguson and Kate Cotton came all the way from Australia to pitch their beauty product, Skinny Tan. The extensive travel was well worth it after they secured a £60,000 investment from Kelly Hoppen and Piers Linney in 2013. The Dragons took 5 per cent of the company each.
The business did very well and is now stocked in Superdrug, Boots as well as selling from their own site. Skinny Tan boasts that it was the first high street tanner to be “99% naturally derived, cruelty-free, vegan friendly and [contain] skin-loving ingredients.”
The entrepreneurs sold the business, with the two women and Dragons remaining stockholders until last year. Proactive then reported that InnovaDerma bought the remaining 4 per cent so they wholly own Skinny Tan now.
Chocbox Was Another Successful Dragons’ Den Business
Peter Moule entered the den in 2007 asking for £150,000 for Chocbox for 10 per cent. Whilst the idea was able to secure both Duncan Bannatyne and James Caan, Peter had to give up 36 per cent of his invention.
However, that didn’t stop the business from becoming a huge success. Just three months after his pitch, Peter made his first £1 million.
The invention is now stocked in Toolstation, Wickes, and Screwfix and has secured multi-million-pound deals around the globe.
Wonderbly Changed Name But Still Made Million
Initially called Lost My Name, Asi and David walked into the den back in 2014. It didn’t look good for the pair who lost four dragons due to their “non-negotiable” offer. However, Piers Linney managed to haggle with them once the other dragons were out of the question. The pair walked away with the £100,000 investment they had asked for, giving away 5 per cent of their business.
Wonderbly began with one book with a target audience of 2-6-year-olds. Since gaining their investment, the personalised book company have launched over 70 titles, ranging from early years reading to growing readers.
They have now sold over 4 million copies of their books worldwide.
The Most Successful Pitch In Dragons’ Den History Was From Levi Roots
No one can forget Levi Roots, whose Reggae Reggae sauces have been a staple on supermarket shelves since his pitch in 2007.
Levi left the den with a £50,000 investment, giving 40 per cent of his business away to Peter Jones and Richard Farleigh.
Not only has Levi gone on to stock his sauce and other products in multiple retailers, but he also had his own cooking show in 2008 and also release music. Since then, he has released six cooking books, a business book and an album.
He’s made multiple TV appearances on shows like The Chase, The Wheel and Mastermind.
Looking at Celebrity Net Worth, Levi Roots has a net worth of a huge $45 million.