Solo entrepreneur Chester Robinson was the first founder to enter the Dragons’ Den tonight – and all five were keen to back him.
The RAISE Snacks founder is on a mission to raise the snacking game for good via natural, delicious and nutritious snacks.
Episode 9 of series 23 saw the return of guest judge and football legend Gary Neville alongside regular Dragons Peter Jones, Touker Suleyman, Deborah Meaden and Steven Bartlett.
After Jones suggested they all split a 10% stake for £10,000 apiece, the other Dragons were loath to do that – and Robinson was left with a choice. He opted to take the £50,000 from Bartlett and Neville.
With natural benefits, each little cluster of nuts and seeds provides a great source of protein, fibre and antioxidants, and under 5g sugar per pack, without compromising on taste. They are also suitable for those following a gluten free or vegan diet.
Inspired by a family granola recipe – with early products developed with his mum in the family kitchen – RAISE now produces six flavours: four nut-and-seed clusters (Dark Chocolate & Sea Salt, Dark Chocolate & Orange, Maple Pecan and Caramel Sea Salt), and two nut clusters (Raspberry and Coconut & Almond).
Chester says he is looking to “big up natural snacking” and “take down the weird world of ultra processed snacks by pioneering big taste without the trade-offs”.
At the start of the year RAISE revealed brand new packaging in a refreshed design perhaps influenced by the Dragons.
“We wanted to create new packaging that not only looks eye-catching, but also clearly shows what our snacks are all about: big taste without the trade offs,” he said at the start of 2026 and following recording last year.
“Our packs need to feel instantly recognisable; bold, tasty, and impossible to ignore. We’re here to take down the weird world of ultra-processed snacks and big up natural snacking.
“The rebrand of our ‘better for you’ snacks promotes all the best bits of our delicious nut and seed clusters and will help build customer confidence in the brand.”
Writing on LinkedIn last week, he said: “Every founder has those surreal moments. Being invited to pitch the business I’ve poured everything into in front of five Dragons is definitely one of mine.
“Building RAISE has been full of highs, setbacks, long days and lessons I never expected to learn. Opportunities like this don’t come around often, and I’m really proud that we got to represent everything we’ve built on one of the UK’s biggest business stages.
“From developing recipes with my mum in our family kitchen to sharing the brand on national TV… it’s pretty mad to think how far we’ve come.
“Thank you to everyone who’s backed RAISE, bought our products, shared our story, or simply cheered us on along the way. We genuinely wouldn’t be here without you.”
All Dragons’ Den investments made by Deborah Meaden
All Dragons’ Den investments made by Peter Jones CBE