Bite-size news in business & technology, from big breaking stories to funding, appointments & deals
Published: October 3, 2025 at 8:00 am
The parent company of CurrentBody has priced its flotation at 271 pence per share – valuing it at £300m.
The Beauty Tech Group plc has now begun trading.
Founder Laurence Newman: “I am incredibly proud of everything The Beauty Tech Group has achieved since we launched CurrentBody in 2009. From establishing ourselves as a global leader in the fast growing at-home beauty technology market to successfully completing this milestone listing on the London Stock Exchange, the Group continues to go from strength to strength.
“As we enter the next stage of our growth journey, this IPO provides the perfect platform to increase awareness of our three distinct, premium brands and take the group to the next level, while delivering sustained and profitable growth. The continued momentum within the business and strong support from investors during our roadshow, gives us the confidence and financial firepower to fully capitalise on the significant opportunities that lie before us.
“Most importantly, I would like to thank everyone at The Beauty Tech Group. The business would not be where it is today without their dedication and hard work and I am excited to embark on this next chapter together.”
We’ll follow its share price movement throughout the day.
Published: October 3, 2025 at 7:40 am
The £2.9 billion acquisition of Deliveroo by US rival DoorDash has now completed.
The UK food delivery giant has now delisted from the London Stock Exchange as a result.
Deliveroo founder Will Shu has stepped down as CEO. “I’m super proud of everything we have achieved. We pioneered and then redefined a new category,” he said.
Published: October 3, 2025 at 7:20 am
Massive news for the London markets this morning as Princes Group announces it is considering an IPO on the main market of the LSE.
The £2.1 billion revenue food and drinks firm includes the brands Princes, Napolina, ‘Branston, Batchelors, Flora, Crisp ‘N Dry, Delverde, Naked Noodle and Vier Diamanten.
The Liverpool-headquartered group exports its products to more than 60 countries and has more than 8,000 customers globally across large food retailers, B2B partners and the foodservice industry.
Published: October 2, 2025 at 9:05 pm
Have your say by clicking on the link above.
You can also find a complete record of all the current Dragons’ investments prior to this show here:
Published: October 2, 2025 at 9:01 pm
Jones and Bartlett agree to each invest £100k for 16% of the business apiece.
They know that this product is established and sells.
Our final entrepreneur of the night is a happy man.
Published: October 2, 2025 at 8:59 pm
Davies isn’t impressed – he says Phil is doing all the talking and it should be the Dragons who are doing that. She’s OUT.
Meaden expresses similar sentiments and is also OUT.
Bartlett says Phil has an AHA! business, but he hasn’t had an AHA! moment – as he is “terrible at marketing”.
However Bartlett is offering all of the money – for 33% of the business! He says he would assume a lot of responsibility.
Jones asks him what he wants and he says he wants to spend more time with his family. Phil is getting emotional now… and Jones effectively matches Bartlett’s offer!
Published: October 2, 2025 at 8:54 pm
Touker says the valuation is “stupid” despite being profitable.
Jones agrees that it is “bananas”.
Phil is struggling with the maths (and also struggled with his pitch a little…)
He says he could turn over £30m on his own – and £100m isn’t out of the question with help.
So far he’s done just £1m… he says conversations about the product are happening at sports pitches everywhere right now.
Published: October 2, 2025 at 8:50 pm
He wants £200k for 6% of the business.
I actually have a pair of these upstairs in my boiler room, currently making my trail shoes smell nice… well, better…
I can vouch for this product. Shame I don’t have £200k!
Published: October 2, 2025 at 8:48 pm
Closing the show is Phil Osband, a former climbing instructor who has taken on the problem of smelly footwear.
His company, Boot Bananas, produces banana-shaped deodorisers filled with a natural blend of salts, minerals and botanicals such as lavender, lemon and tea tree.
Launched in 2012, the product slots into shoes or boots after use.
In a quirky touch, the bananas even change colour over time – turning brown when it’s time for a new pair.
Published: October 2, 2025 at 8:45 pm
They’re asking Bartlett to come down to 4%.
The Flight Story entrepreneur counters with £80k for 5%.
They agree on £90k for the 5%.
Bartlett works with a few brands of this type with his Flight Story business – including podcasts.
Published: October 2, 2025 at 8:43 pm
Meaden offers them the £60k for 4%.
Davies will go as low as 3.5% for the money.
Jones says it’s not interesting enough to him as a business proposition. He’s OUT.
Bartlett, who stopped drinking a few years ago, says he’s been waiting for this product. He’s asking for 5% of the business. “Daylight robbery!” says Suleyman.
They’re now having a row… Suleyman says he has 50 years of experience, “more in my little finger than you!”
Suleyman is interested but OUT.
Published: October 2, 2025 at 8:39 pm
They are looking for £60k for 2% of the business, which has attracted 23,000 new customers in last six months alone.
They have raised around £1.1m funding so far as the startup is loss-making.
All the Dragons like the product. Meaden and Davies are fighting over the drink, it tastes so good!
Published: October 2, 2025 at 8:32 pm
Bethan Higson and Alice Galsworthy arrive next with Mother Root, a non-alcoholic aperitif made from organic ingredients.
Higson came up with the idea in 2018 while pregnant and craving a grown-up drink without the alcohol content.
Mother Root Ginger is made with organic apple cider vinegar, blossom honey, ginger juice and a touch of chilli for warmth.
Served with soda water, each 500ml bottle can stretch to around 20 drinks.
It retails for just under £30 on Amazon and directly via the company’s own site.
Published: October 2, 2025 at 8:31 pm
Peter Jones says he loves the product – he’s applied the shea butter and his hands are the softest they’ve ever been – but the numbers don’t stack up…
Steven Bartlett says “it feels like you’re trying to employ me!” after the pair said they are looking for help with marketing.
Jones is OUT.
Touker Suleyman is OUT.
Deborah Meaden is OUT. “The numbers really aren’t good. It’s just not working for me.”
Sara Davies loves the product but is OUT. She says you’re investing in the person, not the product – and the numbers tell a story. But she will leave them a nice review on their product!
Bartlett says the odds of them succeeding are as good as winning the lottery. And he ain’t betting £100k on that! He’s also OUT.
Published: October 2, 2025 at 8:24 pm
They have several years of operation behind them – but the Dragons want to know about P&L.
And they’ve made losses year after year after year… they won’t even be profitable this year.
They’re looking to move to a direct-to-consumer model as they’re effectively being penalised by retailers for not providing stock at scale.
Published: October 2, 2025 at 8:19 pm
Next to step into the Den are Liha Okunniwa and Abi Oyepitan, the duo behind Liha Beauty.
Founded in 2014, their brand combines African botanicals with English aromatherapy traditions.
The product range, which includes body oils, cleansers, balms and raw shea butter, is sourced ethically from Nigeria and Ghana.
Already attracting celebrity fans such as Lenny Kravitz and FKA Twigs, Liha Beauty is stocked on its own website and through major retailers including Sephora.
Published: October 2, 2025 at 8:17 pm
He asks whether all three will come in at 5% each… while each giving £100k.
They’re not having that – after some negotiation, they agree to give him £50k each – a combined £150k – for a combined 15% of the business.
“Having three Dragons involved is going to be really, really helpful,” he says.
The Dragons say they are betting on the brains as much as the business.
Published: October 2, 2025 at 8:13 pm
Peter Jones will give him the £100k, but for 12.5%…
Deborah Meaden undercuts him with £100k for 10%…
Touker Suleyman also makes an offer – £100k for 10% – and says he can help him lower the cost of the device…
Sara Davies is OUT…
Steven Bartlett is also OUT… he says Pippa could become “massive”, but also could become “nothing”.
Published: October 2, 2025 at 8:09 pm
Dr Sam is asking for £100,000 for 5% equity.
He’s a key figure behind LeakBot, a listed InsurTech which is expanding around the US. He also worked on early self-driving cars.
The AI software inside Pippa is all developed by the company itself.
Published: October 2, 2025 at 8:04 pm
The pitches begin with Samuel Bailey, an inventor who believes he can make kitchens safer.
His company, Pippa, has developed a wall-mounted device designed to spot problems before they turn into disasters.
Using sensors to monitor the temperature of pans on the stove, the gadget can give audible warnings minutes before a fire risk develops.
If you’ve left the house, it can send a text or even call you to alert you, though that feature requires a £39.99 annual subscription on top of the £179.99 device price.
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