Entrepreneurs are the basis of much of the worlds economic growth: the right idea at the right time with the right backing can cause fortunes to be made almost overnight. This is what lies behind the popularity of Dragons Den  and our online course in Entrepreneurship .

BBCs Dragons Den is based on a Japanese format that continues to attract viewers around the world.  From Shark Tank in the US to The Dragons Nest in Sweden, the format remains the same: entrepreneurs pitch their business ideas to a panel of venture capitalists hoping to attract investment and mentoring. After the initial presentation the panel of Dragons have the chance to extensively question the contestants to decide whether they want to invest, and as an added twist the contestants are not allowed to take notes into the Den.

Dragons Den investors [image: BBC

What you dont see on the show is the months – or years – of work that goes into each pitch. The rewards can be great: not only investment from a well-connected and experienced entrepreneur, but also what amounts to practically a 15-minute advertisement in prime time on the BBC. And the BBC never carries advertising.

So even if you are deemed unsuccessful and dont attract investment, if your pitch is interesting enough you will still get publicity – and that may be all you need.

Introducing … The Winners!

A number of businesses have expanded considerably after successfully attracting investment on the show. Here are a few of the winners

Levi Roots – Selling Sauce

The most famously successful business to have come through Dragons Den is Levi Roots and his range of spicy condiments.

The success of Levis pitch was due to:

- a strong product that was selling well. even if it was only at one annual 3-day event;

- a creative pitch. and a catchy song;

- some impressive figures – although not as impressive as Levi originally thought;

It also showed that even if you are missing in some aspects required for an ideal pitch, creativity can see you through. It is unlikely that the pitch would have worked without the man who was the company.

The Generating Company – One Trick Pony? 

Their blend of circus, dance, and theatre was an unusual prospect for investment, but once again, what brought the investment home was:

- some impressive figures ;

- a fairly creative pitch .

What they were missing in terms of creativity, they made up for in terms of numbers and vision.

Worthenshaws – Unique Nutritional Prospect