We’re pleased the dragons rejected us because now we’ve been given millions, say successful Dragons’ Den duo

DRAGONS’ Den has offered a platform to thousands of budding businesspeople in the show’s 17 year history.

But there been a few times that the panel have missed out on a HUGE investment opportunity – enter Aaron Branch, 30, and Zak Lloyd, 22

Following Thursday night’s episode, these two businessmen – who got no offers on the show – say they have “no regrets”.

They have even revealed they have already secured 13 times the investment they asked for.

Aaron and Zak came face-to-face with Sara Davies, Peter Jones, Deborah Meaden, Touker Suleyman and Steven Bartlett to pitch their delivery business.

They talked about their company Delivrme, an app that allows you to get anything and everything – from condoms to iPads – delivered to your front door.

But the Dragons sent them home empty-handed, feeling that they need a lot more money than the £50,000 they asked for.

After announcing a new fundraising round yesterday they’ve already had £650,000 pledged in 24 hours.

“I’ve done live events in front of 2,000 people but I hadn’t felt as nervous as I did going into the Den,” Aaron shared on Instagram.

“The morning of the big day, I was actually sick. The doors opened and it was almost like the doorway to heaven, with the five of them sitting there. I was just drawn into that moment.

“As soon as we started speaking, it was completely comfortable and natural. It was so conversational.

“The dragons were genuinely interested in everything we had to say and the questions they asked were really high quality.

“The criticism came but we really welcomed it because we’re so young as a business and we want to learn all the holes and flaws.

“In the moment where they all said no, we actually felt really empowered because we had just been mentored for one and a half hours by five of the most successful business people in this country.”

SUCCESS STORIES

Meanwhile, one of the biggest missed opportunities by the Dragons’ has to be The Trunki

This ride-on hand luggage suitcase for children, that although didn’t receive investment, has become a multi-million business. 

Created by Rob Law the children’s trunk was turned down after Theo Paphitis broke a strap of the suitcase leading to Dragons questioning the quality. 

However, Theo has since regretted the remarks as Trunki is the most successful product never to be invested by the Dragons, making revenue of £8.13 million. 

Another success story is the Reggae Reggae Sauce

Creator Levi Roots has gone a long to way to making Duncan Bannatyne’s quip that there was “no future for this business” look foolish since first appearing on the show.

While Bannatyne was less than impressed, Peter Jones and Richard Farleigh were optimistic and invested £50,000 for a staggering 40 per cent equity in the company.

Roots’ Reggae Reggae Sauces are now stocked in all major UK supermarkets, with an estimated net worth of £32million in 2022.

Jones once described his decision as “one of my most successful investments from the show” and remains a brand shareholder.

• Dragons’ Den season 19 continues every Thursday on BBC One at 8pm.