why do we never see anything successful come out of Dragons Den?

Question

The only thing I can remember is Levi Roots - 'Reggae Reggae Jerk Sauce' making it onto the market. And thats just some sauce for food. Hardly ground breaking and revolutionary.

Considering how many shows its had, it doesnt appear to be that successful!

ummm ..... cheers for that Michael. Didnt I already just mention that? Got anything else to offer?

Answer 1

Could it possibly be that most of the ideas and inventions presented are crap? Don't forget, the Dragons aren't there for the good of their health - they're there to invest and make more money, so if the idea is rubbish, it stands no chance ! ! !

Answer 2

I brought one of the "Bedlam Cubes" from one of the early series as a Christmas present for someone after seeing them on the show. I believe the deal on screen with the dragons fell through eventually (most of them do before anything official gets signed after they leave the den and the money is rarely handed over), but you can still get them on the website or eBay, but it's hardly a SUCCESS in the sense of the word, they were being sold on a small scale before and continue to be sold on a (slightly larger) scale now.

Other than that, Levi will probably have the most success in the short-term now that his sauce has gone national in Sainsburys. A lot of the ideas are pretty crap though! Most deals get screwed up with the percentages and equity on offer, and nearly everybody wants to launch some stupid new dotcom internet venture. I've not seen anything really innovative. I still loving watching though!

Answer 3

At Christmas-time, I was in a shop (quite a big chain of fashion shops) and saw a puzzle cube thing that had been on Dragon's Den. I think the guy who invented it was Scottish and I think Peter Jones backed him. No idea how many he's sold or anything like that but at least that one DID "make it to market".

The magazine for high-rollers that they backed is still going too, I think.

A lot of the things they back are quite niche which is why they can be harder to find. Not everything they back is going to be retailed on the high street.

Answer 4

Yeah. I often wonder while I'm watching it how they get on. They do a follow up show about once a year, but bear in mind how long it takes a product to enter the marketplace and that it's success is measured over a time period of a year to two years. But, even so, the show has been running for a good couple of years now so there surely must be successful companies out there.

D.
X

Answer 5

i read that many of the inventions they back they do not follow through after the show.
In my womens magazine last week a women went on with a board game and they were interested in it but wanted to much of the profit so she turned down their offer.
She got the bank to loan her in the end and now turns over a million the game is simular to monopoly but with your home towns.
Also there is an advert on television where everyone is wearing something that loooks like small stilts on their feet and bouncing from a to b. I am 100% sure this was on there

Answer 6

Yer some guy invented flat packed plastic fold away plates, bowls, etc for camping. The dragons thought it was a stupid idea and didnt back him. The product is now being sold in some of the largest camping stores in the country. I have used them myself and they do actually work.

Answer 7

Do you remember that bloke who invented a contraption that you put the back wheels of your babies pushchair on and it rocked the pushchair like a swing? Well that is in nearly every baby catalogue I look at and he didnt get any backing from the Dragons.

Answer 8

Lots of good inventions don`t get screened, I designed a collapsible wooden hat, submitted it and heard no more.

Answer 9

'IN STORES NOW
ReggaeReggae Sauce is available and stocked in Sainsbury’s; You will also be able to purchase the album at Sainsbury’s & HMV From Wednesday 7th March 07.'

from : http://www.reggaereggaesauce.org/