Thursday night’s episode of Dragons’ Den brought some jaw-dropping moments, especially when the price of an everyday item left both the Dragons and viewers in shock.
Entrepreneurs Reid and Trib, co-founders of the company Giley, walked into the Den hoping to secure a £50,000 investment for just 3% of their business.
Their product? An innovative umbrella designed with a hard case that keeps it instantly dry after use.
It also boasted lightweight, wind-resistant materials.
While the Dragons appreciated the concept, their enthusiasm quickly faded when they discovered the price—£37.
Reactions From the Dragons and Viewers
Touker Suleyman didn’t hold back, bluntly stating, “To be honest with you, the quality looks very basic.
The plastic looks cheap. It feels more like a £12 or £14 umbrella.”
Viewers at home shared similar sentiments.
Social media buzzed with disbelief, with one user exclaiming, “£37 for an umbrella? No way!” Another chimed in, “They must be joking!”
A Deal That Wasn’t Meant to Be
Despite the skepticism, Peter Jones saw potential and made them an offer—£50,000 but for 20% instead of the requested 3%.
The entrepreneurs countered at 5%, but Peter wouldn’t budge. With no agreement reached, the pair walked away empty-handed.
A Tense Showdown Over Pushchair Rentals
Elsewhere in the episode, a heated debate unfolded between Dragons as they competed for a stake in a promising rental business.
Hayley Hanigan, an entrepreneur from London and a mother of four, pitched her company Tiny Explorers, which offers parents the opportunity to rent expensive travel equipment like car seats and pushchairs instead of buying them outright.
Her business had already generated £203,000 in its first year and £288,000 in its second year, partnering with London hotels to provide rentals for visiting families.
Two Dragons Battle It Out
While some Dragons opted out, Sara Davies and Touker Suleyman both saw potential.
Sara was eager to invest and mentor Hayley, offering the full £50,000 for a 10% stake, calling it a “brilliant offer.”
Touker, however, had a different vision.
He wanted to shift the business towards short-term rental markets, leveraging his connections with estate agents in London.
“Is it a mentor you want, or someone who can strategically help you?” he challenged.
The tension between the two Dragons was evident, with viewers commenting on social media about their heated exchange.
“Sara and Touker should have their own show trying to get along,” joked one user.
A Compromise That Sealed the Deal
Hayley saw value in both offers and proposed a joint investment.’
Though initially hesitant, Sara and Touker agreed to team up, each investing £25,000 for a combined 20% share.
Deborah Meaden couldn’t help but comment on their clash, saying, “That didn’t look like a happy start for two investors.”
Sara playfully responded, “Well, I’m going to have fun managing both him and her.”
A Bright Future for Tiny Explorers
After securing her investment, Hayley expressed her excitement: “I know we’ve got the most exciting journey ahead, and having Sara and Touker on board means the absolute world. I won’t let them down.”
When asked about her long-term vision, she revealed her goal—to integrate Tiny Explorers into every travel booking website, making baby equipment rentals as easy as hiring a car.
Catch Dragons’ Den every Thursday on BBC One, or stream it on iPlayer to see the latest pitches and unexpected deals!
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