Dragons’ Den’s most successful businesses

It’s now over 10 years since the first episode of Dragons’ Den aired on British TV screens and in that time we’ve seen some brilliant, and not so brilliant, businesses pass through the Den.

While many of the start-ups which have appeared on the BBC show have since floundered or failed to gain traction, a number have gone on to achieve huge success – with and without the Dragons’ investments.

We’ve delved into the Den archives to find out what has happened to 16 of the brightest businesses to have pitched to the Dragons and where they are now.

From the popular Levi Roots to the £65m-valued Tangle Teezer dubbed “hair-brained” by Peter Jones, click the red button to find out just what happened once the Den’s cameras stopped rolling, and discover a few highlights below…

Dragons’ Den success stories

2006 (Series 3)

• The £8m ride-on hand luggage suitcase business for children that received no investment

2007 (Series 4 and 5)

• Spicy BBQ sauce success for Dragons’ Den’s Peter Jones
• Children’s theatre and dance company for Duncan Bannatyne
• A £29m turnover online takeaway ordering service that received no investment
• That ‘hair-brained’ detangling hairbrush

2008 (Series 6)

• A portable whiteboard in a roll for Deborah Meaden and Theo Paphitis

2010 (Series 8)

• A dairy-free, sugar-free frozen pudding alternative to ice cream backed by Peter and Duncan

2012 (Series 10)

• These fashionably quirky phone cases whose deal fell through

2013/2014 (Series 11)

• A ‘shouty outy’ quiz game who rejected their offer
• Tanning lotion backed by both Kelly Hoppen and Piers Linney
• A youth-focussed tour operator backed by Piers Linney
• DIY mobile phone repair kits backed by Kelly Hoppen

2014 (Series 12)

• Swing dance classes supported by Deborah Meaden
• Funding for personalised illustrated fiction books for children by Piers Linney
• A £14m plasterboard fixings company also supported by Deborah Meaden

2016/2017 (Series 14)

• The gin and wine subscription box service backed by Sarah Willingham
• A ticket price comparison site that turned down all the Dragons' offers

2017 (Series 15)

• The discount code browser extension that attracted offers from all five Dragons