Bite-size news in business & technology, from big breaking stories to funding, appointments & deals
Published: October 9, 2025 at 8:48 pm
They recently quit their jobs – they have backgrounds in psychology, corporate finance and a health startup – and have now begun trading.
The Dragons are very complimentary of their pitch.
“But you have to chew glass,” says Bartlett.
They have raised at a valuation of £2m. They will raise again next year, maybe £1.5-2m. “You’ll need to raise a lot more than that,” says Bartlett.
Published: October 9, 2025 at 8:44 pm
The biggest problem women face when returning to work is confidence, they say. “We are not just a jobs board.”
They team up with companies who are signed up to providing the pathway back into careers.
“Music to my ears,” says Meaden.
They are still in the testing phase.
Published: October 9, 2025 at 8:42 pm
They are asking for £75,000 for 3% to grow their platform and help more women access flexible, meaningful employment.
They use “behavioural nudge theory” to encourage people to return to work on the platform, where returners can find jobs with flexibility and other similar factors.
Published: October 9, 2025 at 8:40 pm
Sisters Lydia and Amelia from London are last to enter the Den with Ivee Jobs, an app connecting women returning to work with flexible, pre-vetted employers.
Inspired by their mother’s struggle to re-enter the workforce, the pair have built a community-driven marketplace with a back-to-work bootcamp, online courses and upskilling resources.
Is this the one the Dragons will invest in?
Published: October 9, 2025 at 8:39 pm
Jones says their business is “asking people to come out and play”.
Wicks loves the outdoors aspect, having run classes in local parks, but he – and all the other dragons – are OUT.
Published: October 9, 2025 at 8:37 pm
A bit of a weird obstacle course to start with Meaden dodging sticks held by Wicks.
The duo are asking for £40,000 for 5% equity to grow their reach and encourage people to rediscover the joy of natural movement.
The numbers are low and they are part-time in the business.
Published: October 9, 2025 at 8:35 pm
Married couple Andrew Telfer and Gill Erksine present Wildstrong next, an outdoor fitness movement that champions ‘real-world strength’ over gym-based workouts.
Born from a group of friends training outdoors, Wildstrong has evolved into a structured program focused on skill, adaptability and community.
It offers in-person and online classes.
Published: October 9, 2025 at 8:34 pm
Bartlett is OUT.
Wicks likes the Gen-Z style branding and likes the idea of investing from an emotional perspective, but can’t see a path forward to profitability. He’s OUT.
Jones says they will have learned a lot about their branding today and praises where they have got to so far. But he’s OUT.
Suleyman advises them: “Don’t give up your day job. This is not investable. I’m OUT.”
Davies “invests in the entrepreneur, not the business… the product is great, but I won’t be investing in you”. She’s OUT.
Meaden says the product is muddled. She’s also OUT.
Published: October 9, 2025 at 8:30 pm
She always has a tub of nutritional yeast to hand, she says.
She points out the packaging on the ‘cheesy seasoning’ and ‘smoky bacon’ seasoning packets. “Where does it say it’s plant-based?” she asks.
A small logo in the corner. “That’s your main selling point – I’m your customer and I can’t see it.”
What do you guys think? Leave a comment by clicking above.
Published: October 9, 2025 at 8:27 pm
“The branding is terrible,” says Jones.
He asks them to do a 30-second advert.
“Where is the call to action?” he asks. “Where is the ‘why’? Why should I buy it?”
Vegans need B12 in their diet, they counter.
Meaden is a vegan…
Published: October 9, 2025 at 8:24 pm
They also have a design agency with 15 staff and £1.5m turnover.
“This is a side project,” says Bartlett. “Are we investing in your hobby?”
Published: October 9, 2025 at 8:22 pm
“It’s just seasoning,” says Mrs Symcox. “Am I missing something?”
Wicks concurs and likens the product type to something on the surface in a fish tank. “What is nutritional yeast?”
The duo are asking for £100k for 20% of the business.
Published: October 9, 2025 at 8:20 pm
Next up are Stephen Wildish from Swindon and Sam Fresco from London, who are seeking investment in their vegan seasoning business, Notorious Nooch.
Their product, a high-protein, B12-rich nutritional yeast, is sold in 600+ retailers including Holland & Barrett and Whole Foods.
Priced at £4.50 a pack, it is aimed at consumers seeking a healthy, plant-based boost to their meals.
Published: October 9, 2025 at 8:17 pm
Sara Davies is OUT. Although like Jones, she applauds the motivation to educate kids.
Bartlett is OUT.
Meaden also won’t be investing.
Touker Suleyman is also OUT.
Wicks offers a bit of hope… “I bet you’re a great Dad!” he says, and urges him to produce longer-form content. But will he invest?
No.
He’s not too dishreatened, though. “I love my business, and it’s going to continue – with or without the Dragons.”
Published: October 9, 2025 at 8:13 pm
Peter Jones is having none of it. “This is a dinosaur of a business,” he tells Chris.
He says a business like this needs scale. But how?
Jones is OUT.
Published: October 9, 2025 at 8:10 pm
Decent figures for a one-man business, despite a big hit during COVID.
Ranger Chris admits that growth is stagnant however; hence the theme park idea.
With millions of social followers and YouTube subscribers – but relatively low viewers on long-form videos, as ascentained by Steven Bartlett – there seems to be an appetite.
Deborah Meaden asks about location and he mentions a site in Swansea.
Published: October 9, 2025 at 8:05 pm
Ranger Chris is looking for £100,000 for a 15% stake to help build a Dinomania Base Camp attraction.
He is no stranger to national TV, having reached the semi-finals of Britain’s Got Talent in 2022.
“What a pitch!” says Joe.
“My background’s in window fitting,” replies Chris…
Published: October 9, 2025 at 8:04 pm
First into the Den is Chris Roberts, known to audiences as Ranger Chris.
The 42-year-old from Aberdare, Wales, arrives with a prehistoric companion to pitch Dinomania, a live dinosaur experience company combining entertainment and education for children.
The Dragons look shocked by the raptors (I think) as they swing into the Den!
Published: October 9, 2025 at 7:33 pm
Former Manchester United star turned entrepreneur Gary Neville has become the frontrunner to join the Dragons’ Den line-up following fellow Northern Leader Sara Davies’ imminent departure from the BBC One show.
The hit show returned to screens last week, but the BBC has yet to confirm who will replace Davies, who joined the panel in 2019 and quickly became a fan favourite.
So who is second- and third-favourite?
Published: October 9, 2025 at 5:49 pm
Fitness entrepreneur and TV personality Joe Wicks returns to the Dragons’ Den panel tonight as a celebrity guest, following his debut in January 2025.
The Body Coach founder will join regular Dragons Peter Jones, Deborah Meaden, Sara Davies, Steven Bartlett and Touker Suleyman for the second episode of the hit BBC show since its return.
Wicks has already featured in Series 22 before its hiatus, along with other guest stars Emma Grede and Trinny Woodall, but is back again tonight to see pitches ranging from dinosaurs to FemTech.
We’ll be live from 8pm.
Have Your Say