BBC - Dragons Den
Just watched Dragons Den on BBC2 - excellent show. It was a bit like pop idol and those other silly shows but without all the idiots!
Amazing the people on it. The first two guys on it had a great invention but they were being too greedy. It was amazing that they turned down the investement - it’s not just about the money, but it’s about the skills that the investors could bring to the team. The American investor (Doug Richard) was going to supply a sales director, financial director and a managing director too! What better deal could they hope for? Lots of cash and skills! Doh.
Then there was a run of more greedy and (generally) arogant idiots. The final chap had a great idea (selling cheap umberellas on the underground via vending machines), and very nearly blew it too because he was being too greedy again. Still, they settled it at the end, so I wish them luck with the business 
At last: a program worth watching on the TV!
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November 30th, 2005 00:46
Hi,
Well it was my turn tonight {29th Nov} and like most other folks the spin they put on me was simply intended to discredit me. I’m the guy who went on with the new way to shave, a radically different pre shave cream. More on that, and me at… www.moderngent.com
The worst bit is I spent 50 minutes being grilled and did more than hold my own with the Dragons, they soon found out that they aren’t the only ones who can breathe fire.
But when it came down to the show I got less than 50 seconds, and during that time no mention of what my product is called, how it works, or that I have Patents on it in 17 Countries, sold 2 Patents already, and without the support of a Name Brand or any Ad campaign I’ve sold >36,000 units already.
Neither did they mention that after trying the product {Ultra Shaving Cream} that Theo & Rachel both contacted me with more than a casual interest in the product.
I guess that they didn’t care for me being able to stand toe to toe with at least a couple of them, I’m far from being short of cash, all I was looking for was firstly the exposure, secondly the prospect of linking in with folks who might have the networks on hand that I could benefit from.
They didn’t like it at all when I told them I wouldn’t sell out for a Million {I’ve 8 years of my life into this project} and the cost of the Patents to date is over 200,000 quid…
If I was looking for a return of 5-1 I’d be in Ladbrokes not Dragons Den, sigh.
It’s a pity that a show that could showcase new ideas degenerates into a cheap production for the BBC, an opportunity for the Dragons to massage their ego’s and a slaughter house for folks who most likely have more skills than any of the Dragons.
I agree with all you said in the blog above, but I don’t regret taking them on, nor their ridicule, at 58 I’ve weathered more than they can throw at me. It’s just a pity that when someone goes on the show and runs the buggers ragged that you’ll never see that. The intent of the show isn’t to evaluate a new product or a new idea, it’s simply an attempt to shed someone’s blood {character} for the sake of ratings {which seem to be falling}.
I guess Ratings mean more than credibility to the BEEB these days.
The odd thing is, when I was down there I had the chance to look at some of the products/ideas some folks were presenting. At least one of them looked viable to me, but it never even made it to the show, even though some really frivolous things get a 10 minute spot…
I really do think there is a need for a display of British enterprise, and this taken in a more serious way would be a great platform, and an encouragement to others. But as long as the show is dumbed down then it serves little if any purpose, more’s the pity.
Anyway, yer all welcome to check out what I’ve been up to in the last 8 years with Ultra, and there’s an interesting Bio of the time I faced a REAL assasination, at the hands of folks more fearful then these puffed up dragons.
Canada Bob.