The latest series of the investment show has had us thinking about our favourite products, from the bizarre to the “why didn’t I think of that?!” Over the years there have been some incredible inventions and businesses launched – even if the Dragons passed on them at the time.
GripIt Fixings
Back in 2014 when he was only 18, Jordan Daykin became the youngest entrepreneur to secure investment from the Dragons when he received funding from Deborah Meaden. Daykin had created a patented solution for fixing screws into plasterboard which could hold heavy loads, winning over Meaden and exchanging £80,000 for 25% of his business. Now with stockists such as Home Depot in the US and over 3,000 stores in the UK including ScrewFix and B&Q, the business is reportedly worth £14m. A great investment from Deborah Meaden!
The Wand Company
Friends Richard Blakesley and Chris Barnardo appeared on the show in 2010 demonstrating their universal remote control that looks like a Harry Potter wand. Duncan Bannatyne invested £200,000 for 10% of the duo’s business, which went on to create more magical remote controls for sci fi fans, including Sonic Screwdrivers from Doctor Who and Phasers from Star Trek.
Trunki
Rob Law failed to gain the £100,000 investment from the Dragons he was seeking for his range of ride-on suitcases for children in 2006. At the time Theo Paphitis said “no-one in their right mind would think that business was worth £1m.” However, since then, Trunki has become a familiar sight at airports around the world, selling more than three million suitcases. The business has won over 100 design awards and Rob Law has been awarded an MBE.
Now known as the one that got away, the company has grown into a multi-million-pound brand and includes new products including a children’s booster seat that doubles as a backpack and a 3-in-1 travel pal pillow and blanket.
We’ve helped dozens of aspiring inventors and entrepreneurs bring their ideas to life, see our case studies page for details on some featured projects. If you have a product, get in touch to see how we can help from designing, developing and prototyping through to manufacturing. Call +44 1692 501020 or email our team at sales@coda-plastics.co.uk.
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