After Steven Bartlett did a stunning U-turn on his choice to invest, a hopeful entrepreneur was left difficult to talk after being swept away by the offers given to him on Dragons’ Den.
On tonight’s edition of the BBC show, Matthew Walker and Cristian Brownlee, creators of Adapt Ability, were looking to get a £40,000 investment for a 5% ownership in their firm, which aims to improve mobility and independence for persons with impairments.
Cristian said how, after becoming a wheelchair user approximately a decade ago, his life ‘wasn’t really autonomous’ and he was’staying at home all the time’ until he discovered the Omeo, a two-wheeled self-balancing mobility device that uses New Zealand-developed technology.
While the owners of the company dazzled the Dragons with their remarkable invention, which costs just over £17,000 when new, they faced significant setbacks during their pitch, with Peter Jones and Deborah Meaden declaring that they were out.
‘It’s not a simple business to take to market, and I don’t have a lot of expertise selling this sort of product,’ Steven first informed the duo. So maybe you’re a touch too early for an investment from me right now.’
With a smirk on his face, he then continued, ‘Um… but maybe you’re not.’
‘Do you know what, when you told me your tale, it just hit me right in the feelings,’ Steven said.
‘I can’t imagine what it must be like to lose your mobility at any stage in your life, and I’ve got so much respect for you for being in that situation and turning it into something like this, turning it into a business. I’m pretty overcome with inspiration, so I am going to make you an offer, it turns out.’
Steven then gave Cristian and Matthew all of the money they were wanting in exchange for a 15% stake in the company.
‘Wow, I can’t breathe,’ Cristian admitted, before Touker Suleyman and Sara Davies made the exact same offer as their colleague.
When the businesspeople went to the wall to arrange their strategy, Cristian admitted that he had no clue what to do.
When they returned, Cristian was visibly overwhelmed as he battled through his words to ask Steven, Touker, and Sara whether they’d be prepared to split the £40,000 total investment three ways, with each Dragon getting 5% of the firm.
They were all thrilled to accept, and Cristian and Matthew had a fantastic bargain.
Dragons’ Den returns next Thursday at 8pm on BBC one and BBC iPlayer.