This series of Dragons’ Den offered a variation in pitches, allowing us to outline the most favourable, to the not so impressive.
The top three pitches
I simply couldn’t resist allocating a place in the top three to the Snaffling Pig & Co.
Nick Coleman and Andrew Allen’s polished and confident pitch was full of engagement through puns, humour and genuine entrepreneurship, not to mention the product being a selection of different flavoured pork scratchings! The flavours on offer vary from maple, to salt and vinegar, to BBQ and many more – all of which are insanely delicious! From researching their market and audience thoroughly, it definitely proved to pay off in the den, setting a great example for other considerate participants.
Even though business partners, Nick and Andy, didn’t receive offers from all Dragons, potential was still noted from Nick Jenkins who chose to invest and make the most of his branch into another pig related company!
The pitch proposing Cocofina has also landed a spot in the top three, simply due to the fact that the products literally enticed every single Dragon, leaving them to intensely compete for Jacob Thundil’s acceptation of their offer, giving the entrepreneur the power that is conventionally placed within the claws of the Dragons.
Cocofina is a range of coconut based products that include, snack bars, oil, nectar, water and many more. From the growing popularity of healthier snacks and substitutions, Cocofina is in the perfect market for it to grow – which obviously the Dragons acknowledged.
Even when the pitch was joined by Jacob’s business partner who was unexpectedly asked by the Dragons to join Jacob in the den, they still collectively managed to pull off a great pitch that resulted in all Dragons offering investment.
Another pitch which definitely made its mark in the den was from partners, Martin Child and Jenny David presenting ‘MarXman’ – a helpful but simple tool designed to help builders and any DIY undertakers, by allowing them to easily mark their drill holes.
Self-proclaimed Dyslexic and Asperger’s individual, Martin, was admirable for his perseverance in promoting his product, proven when the couple revealed to have invested nearly all of their life savings in the invention. The fact that the product was already stocked in Wickes, caused a widen in the eager eyes of the Dragons.
All chose to offer an investment but inevitably, Deborah was the one to receive acceptance as she jumped for joy at her triumph.
The worst pitches
In terms of attitude, the worst pitch has to go to Marco who was proposing his company ‘ProGains ‘ – a pre-prepped meal delivery service.
One thing Marco does teach us is to never lie to a Dragon.
After claiming that his brand was trademarked, Deborah found a fault in his statement as she scanned the paperwork to find that only a mere application for trademark was made – not confirmation. His over-ambitious attitude was too much for the Dragons and, when added to his false statements too, it didn’t encourage the Dragons to invest.
Although the product was actually potentially quite good, at this point in the business where uncertainties lie, the Dragons decided it was best not to invest.
Taking a different view, for the worst pitch in terms of clarity, it definitely has to go to Faheem Badul from ‘Direct Wholesale’ with his franchise restaurant and ‘Perios’ food business.
From the start of the pitch, not only the viewers were puzzled, but the Dragons declared on frequent occasions during Faheem’s presence that they were confused by what he was trying to pitch. Even after these declarations, Faheem still remained to be perceived as unclear. He even forgot to ask the Dragons how much investment he was seeking and for what equity percentage share – which isn’t great, especially when a Dragon has to prompt you!
Faheem’s determination to get Peter and Sarah on board with him quickly began to prove less achievable as his pitch grew more confusing the more it progressed.
Deborah branded the pitch for being “one of the most frustrating” that she has ever sat through, Peter was “not impressed” and Sarah “couldn’t be more confused” – not exactly encouraging! As expected, all Dragons declared themselves ‘out’, leaving Faheem with advice to take a more clear direction with his business.
The funniest pitches
The funniest pitches due to their pure lack in potential were from Rupert Evans who was entering the den with his ‘Fold-Ease’ invention and Ben Drury presenting his ‘Lacemups’ gadget.
Firstly, the concept of ‘Fold-Ease’ is that it helps you fold the ‘perfect’ crease in your paper. By preventing you from suffering friction burns and paper cuts, this neat little invention that is placed on the top of your finger allows you to fold paper, quickly and efficiently.
This sparked confusion and surprise in the den, as well as a lot of head-in-hands!
The laughs continued as Rupert revealed the existence of two sizes in the product! Being great for a secretarial or admin role as Rupert proclaims, the Dragons failed to agree on this occasion and rejected his investment seeking of £40,000.
Ben’s ‘Lacemups’ is a product that is supposed to help teach children to tie their shoe laces.
From rather humorously watching the Dragons test out the gadget, it was funny to see the struggle they found! All of the Dragons found the product more hassle to use than tying your shoe lace as you normally would, consequently contradicting its fast and easy approach to tying shoe laces. Peter seemed to find the most difficulty, resulting in him requesting for another Dragon’s help!
If the Dragons can’t get to grips with the product, it’s highly unlikely that a child would cope well and so, due to this, all of the Dragons predictably declared themselves out.
Dragons’ Den is due to bounce back onto our screens later this year
