Tonight, a new episode of “Dragons’ Den” will showcase innovative business ideas as entrepreneurs pitch their solutions to a panel of seasoned investors. This episode carries a special significance as it marks the final appearance of Sara Davies as a dragon, at least temporarily. After six successful years on the show, she is stepping back to focus on her role as CEO of Crafter’s Companion, the business she founded over 20 years ago.
Entrepreneurs Enter the Den
The episode features a variety of unique startups looking for investment from the dragons: Peter Jones, Deborah Meaden, Steven Bartlett, Touker Suleyman, and Sara Davies.
Shades: Inclusive Dancewear
Kicking off the pitches is “Shades,” an inclusive dancewear brand based in Nottingham. Founded by Laura Grant and Stacey Green in 2023, the brand offers products in four shades—Pearl, Raven, Uday, and Bojangles—designed to match various skin tones. Their product range includes children’s dance tights, socks, adult ballet shoes, and convertible ballet tights.
SeeTheTape: A Scalable Solution
Next in the den is Rajan Bhojwani, an eye surgeon who wants to simplify the often frustrating task of locating tape ends. His invention, “SeeTheTape,” launched in 2024, features a roll of tape wound around a dark-colored cardboard for improved visibility. It retails for £5.99 for a pack of two rolls on Amazon.
Honest Mobile: A Sustainable Network
The third pitch comes from Andy Aitken and Josh Mihill, founders of “Honest Mobile.” Launched in 2019, this is the UK’s first certified B Corporation mobile network. Honest Mobile is committed to sustainability, donating 1 percent of revenue to environmental causes and being carbon negative. Their Smart SIM offers a unique data-only eSIM that supports seamless connectivity across the UK’s major networks. Plans start at £3.75 per month.
Snowball: Accessibility Made Simple
Finally, Simon Sansome presents “Snowball,” a free app designed to improve access for disabled individuals. Launched in 2022, Snowball helps users find and review accessible locations such as restaurants, shops, and public spaces. Its features assess various accessibility criteria, creating a comprehensive map of user-friendly places.
- Shades: Inclusive dancewear matching four skin tones, launched in 2023.
- SeeTheTape: Tape with dark cardboard for visibility, available since 2024.
- Honest Mobile: Sustainable mobile network and B Corporation since 2019.
- Snowball: Accessibility app launched in 2022.
As the season closes, these businesses bring fresh ideas to the forefront, hoping to capture the dragons’ investment and guidance. Tune in to witness their pitches and the dragons’ reactions.
