Five to watch: Jordan Daykin, GripIt Fixings

Jordan Daykin, 21
Company: GripIt Fixings
Web: www.gripitfixings.co.uk/new-gripit-2015/

Billing itself as the “world’s ultimate plasterboard fixing”, Jordan Daykin developed the prototype for the GripIt Fixing in his grandfather’s shed at the age of just 13 when other fixings he tried to use kept breaking.

Today, Daykin’s products are capable of holding loads of up to 180kg, and designed to secure everything from curtain rails, cabinets and televisions to the wall. In 2014, the young entrepreneur became the youngest participant in Dragons’ Den history, walking away with an £80,000 investment from Deborah Meaden for a 25% stake in his business. Thanks to the subsequent exposure and support, GripIt is now available in over 3,000 stores across the UK including Wickes, Screwfix, Travis Perkins and B&Q, as well as 33 countries across Europe through global distributor RS components. After recently closing an over-subscribed £2m campaign through Crowdcube, the company has set its sights on further international expansion, and will shortly be listed in  1,500 Home Depo stores in the US, as well as outlets in Australia and South Africa.

Still only 21, Daykin has built an international business estimated to be worth an impressive £14m – and set to generate £8.9m next year. This is one young entrepreneur to keep your eyes on.