Vespertec, a Stockport-based technology company specialising in data centre and AI infrastructure, has secured a £1.8m export contract to Kenya.

The contract was supported by UK Export Finance (UKEF), the government’s export credit agency.

Vespertec more than doubled its turnover in 2025 and is seeing rising international demand for its data centre and AI infrastructure expertise.

Steve Evans, director of finance at Vespertec, said: “Demand for data centre and cloud infrastructure is growing rapidly across Africa, and this project reflects the trust international partners place in UK engineering and delivery capability.

“Support from UK Export Finance has helped us pursue opportunities of this scale and complexity, and to build on relationships that have developed over time.”

Peter offers £50k for 20% – and wants Deborah to do the same.

She will, as long as he’s happy to give up 40% of the business.

He tries to counter at 30% but the Dragons aren’t happy with that – and see that he’s very uncomfortable at giving up so much of his company, so they drop out.

“A quintessential British gentleman,” is the verdict when he’s departed.

 

Steven thinks that the approach is too scattergun. “I don’t have clarity on this business.” He’s out.

Touker is equally confused and is also out.

Susie sees a “fantastic product innovator” but says he needs to pick one and focus on that. She’s out.

Deborah couldn’t agrees less with Susie: “Your product is spice mixes.” But he needs to get on top of the branding.

She wishes he hadn’t asked for £100k.

Peter says “you could share it”… I sense a dual offer…

He tells Deborah that his ‘hero’ products are the gin and the rum botanicals kits.

The Natural History Museum wanted a tie-up but they haven’t done many collaborations.

He seems unsure of the best way to drive up sales.

The Wiltshire entrepreneur finishes his pitch and says he’s not looking forward to their questions – “that was terrifying!”

Gordon serves up some drinks created using his products.

He started the dog biscuit brand as he was worried that the former would fail.

He saw a spike in COVID from £150k to £580k, but it then dropped to £387k. However it then picked back up to £535k then £617k.

He believes the focus should be on the dog business.

Last up is Gordon Leatherdale, who is pitching two businesses.

He is behind Natural & Noble, launched in 2019, which allows people to create flavoured spirits and cocktails at home – including gin, rum, vodka and whisky infusion sets. It also sells cocktail kits such as espresso martini and pina colada. 

His second business is Dog by the Hob, launched in 2023, which sells kits that help owners bake their own pet treats.

Outside the Den, Helen says: “There were some honest opinions… then Deborah rode in at the end to save the day!

“I’m delighted that she’s coming on board to help us.”

Peter says they can double turnover without spending more money.

Deborah worries about their decision-making processes and says she can’t be there to help them make them every day.

She’ll make them an offer! She thinks they can build a profitable business ahead of the market.

They want £100k for 5%. She wants 15% for that money.

They agree!

 

“It’s almost impossible to invest in a business like this when you’re running it.” Ouch! Peter is out.

Steven admires the amount of revenue they are generating, but also says it is uninvestable.

Susie says it is not an area she is passionate about and is out.

Touker says that after 10 years of incorporation they don’t have room for an investor.

Deborah isn’t out yet and says there is much to admire. But what will change to turn revenue growth into profit?

The business, which does not hold kitchen stock and takes a 30% commission on sales, has been going for 12 years.

It does hold some kitchen appliance stock which is sold via a dropshipping model.

They have generated around £2m sales in each year since 2022-3, but made a net loss of £515k one year and are now breaking even.

Peter and Deborah wants to know why whey’re spending more than a million a year.

The answer: website development, wage costs, advertising, licensing fees… and consultancy fees.

The Dragons are incredulous.

Phil says it’s a challenge spending 24 hours a day with your wife… Helen says he still wants his lunch making every day!

They had the idea after buying a used kitchen for just £5k. It is a B-Corp business.

They are looking for £100k for 5% of the business.

Third to pitch is husband-and-wife team Phil and Helen Lord, from Widnes in the North West.

Their business Rehome offers ‘pre-loved’ kitchens, bedrooms and bathrooms at discounted prices via an online marketplace.

Founded in 2015, it enables homeowners, interior designers and retailers resell high-end interiors to buyers at a fraction of the cost.

Susie asks for his dream and he says he wants to eradicate food waste in landfill.

She wants to invest and says she could negotiate a cheaper deal with his China manufacturers.

However she wants 40% for the £68k!

He offers 32%… she counters with 35%.

They have a deal and hug it out.

Deborah is out as “it doesn’t do the whole job”. Ouch.

Peter says he is a brilliant salesman but without the IP, he can’t invest.

Steven says he’s an entrepreneur at heart and would invest in him – but, without the IP, he won’t invest in the product.

Touker is also impressed by Ben and won’t invest – but if he’s ever in London, he’ll give him a job!

Susie wants one of these and says you don’t need the IP… she hates fruit flies and foxes in the garden… will she invest?

Deborah wants to know how the by-products can be reused – e.g. to compost or be used for animals.

Ben effectively says that they are lowering the potency of the gases and so it won’t be useful for that.

They are made in China, and he doesn’t have the IP, which worries Peter.

He wanted to get all the features of existing products on the market and build it at a cheaper price point.

The aim is to reduce the impact of methane on environment. Ben has his eye on ‘eco warrior’ Deborah as a potential investor.

He is looking for £86k for 20% of the business.

Ben says he has €103k of pre-orders so far, and has made a €6,500 net loss.

He is looking to invest in his stock and expand, and predicts he will be profitable by Q4.

Next up is Ben McGirr, founder of Kompo, a first-time founder from Ireland.

Launched in 2025, Kompo is a countertop food composter that dries and grinds kitchen scraps into an odour-free material that can be used as plant fuel via a dual charcoal filter.

The £249 gadget, which only uses 20p of electricity per cycle, claims to reduce the volume of food waste by up to 80% in four to eight hours. 

Steven says it’s a tough market and is out – but he’ll buy a bag!

Deborah Meaden says she needs to find a wider market and that the product would work for other users. She won’t be investing.

Susie says she should have come in with a pitch for the ‘everyday woman’. She’s out.

Touker Suleyman says she is very brave but it is a difficult market and is also out.

Peter Jones is also out and says she should give them to retailers to sell and take a percentage.

The Dragons are impressed by the quality and cost £70+ to make.

Steven Bartlett questions the size of the market.

Catherine says she has 1,550 bags in stock and is keen to get those sold.

She has invested £400k of her own money to date. This was an inheritance from her uncle, who sadly died during COVID.

Catherine – wearing striking green – is from Scotland and wants £50k for 20% of her business.

She hands the bags, named after pioneering female doctors, to the Dragons.

She has been trading for two years and has sold 300 bags to date, generating £80k.