Sometimes, a little faith and friendship can go a long way — especially when everyone else doubts you.
Two lifelong friends, Andy Aitken and Josh Mihill, just proved their parents wrong in the most spectacular way possible after landing a £165,000 investment on the season finale of Dragons’ Den.
The pair, who were once told they’d be “bankrupt by 30,” have instead built one of the UK’s most promising new mobile network companies — and impressed some of the toughest investors on TV.
The Bold Pitch That Changed Everything
Andy and Josh walked into the Den ready to pitch their brainchild, Honest Mobile, to the dragons — Deborah Meaden, Peter Jones, Touker Suleyman, and Steven Bartlett.
Their goal was simple: to fix what people hate most about mobile networks — bad signal, confusing contracts, and expensive roaming charges.
“We spoke to thousands of people before we started,” they explained.
“It was clear that people really disliked their networks — they lock you into long contracts and then raise prices every year.
We’re doing things differently. With us, your bill goes down every year for staying loyal.”
Their upcoming “smart SIM,” they added, promises four times better signal in the UK and free roaming in 182 countries.
Doing Business with Purpose
Beyond connectivity, Honest Mobile has a mission that caught the dragons’ attention — sustainability.
The company proudly calls itself the UK’s first B Corp certified mobile network, meaning it meets high standards for social and environmental impact.
“So far, we’ve got 8,000 happy customers, and our satisfaction score is four times higher than some big networks,” Josh shared.
The Tense Negotiation and Triumphant Deal
The duo originally asked for £110,000 in exchange for a 1% stake, but things got competitive.
Deborah Meaden offered to put up half the money for that same 1%, while Steven Bartlett matched their full request — but wanted a 3% share of the business.
After some quick thinking, Andy and Josh decided to team up with both dragons, sealing a £165,000 investment for a combined 4% stake.
As they left the Den, the longtime friends hugged, clearly overwhelmed by the moment.
Their journey had come full circle — from schoolmates with a dream to co-founders backed by two of the biggest names in business.
A Friendship That Stood the Test of Time
Their success was even more heartwarming knowing their history.
Andy and Josh met on their very first day of school and have been inseparable ever since — so much so that they were each other’s best man at their weddings.
Now, they’re business partners riding a wave of entrepreneurial success, with Honest Mobile growing fast and their story inspiring many young founders who dare to dream differently.
Dragons’ Den Continues to Create Success Stories
Their win adds to a growing list of Dragons’ Den triumphs — with one of the biggest being PerfectTed, the matcha-based energy drink company that has skyrocketed since appearing on the show in 2023.
Founders Marisa Poster and Teddie Levenfiche wowed the panel back then and secured £50,000 for a 5% stake from Steven Bartlett and Peter Jones.
Fast forward two years, and the company’s valuation has exploded to £140 million, making it the most successful investment in the show’s history.
PerfectTed’s natural, matcha-powered drinks have become a hit across Europe, with the brand expanding into coffee pods, latte mixes, and flavored products — and even aiming to become the world’s first billion-dollar matcha brand.
From Startups to Global Names
Stories like Honest Mobile and PerfectTed prove that Dragons’ Den remains one of the UK’s best platforms for turning bold ideas into booming businesses.
From two childhood friends changing how we use our phones to a pair of young founders redefining the energy drink industry — it’s clear that passion, persistence, and a great pitch can still change everything.