Steven Bartlett has lifted the lid on his Dragons’ Den debut.
Earlier this week the serial entrepreneur revealed how his new company – Steven.com – had announced it had closed a major eight-figure investment in a deal that valued the business at $425m (£320m).
Tonight, millions of people will see Bartlett take his familiar place in the Den when the 14th and final episode of series 22 of Dragons’ Den is screened.
Bartlett was 28 when he made his first appearance on series 19 in 2022, joining the panel alongside Peter Jones, Deborah Meaden, Touker Suleyman, and Sara Davies.
Jones has been in Dragons’ Den since the very first series in 2005 while Meaden is the second longest-serving Dragon.
Recallling his debut in the Den, Bartlett told BusinessCloud: “I think I continually find myself in situations where I’m well aware that I’m wildly inexperienced. Joining Dragons’ Den was one of them.
“They put me in a seat between Peter Jones and Deborah Meaden and they gave me a notepad. I was 28 years old.
“That was one such moment where I was well aware that objectively I do not have the experience to be here but in all of those moments I try and find the reason why I’m sat there and what’s unique perspective.
“Those moments in my life are my growth moments. You could call it growth syndrome or something. I think the phrase ‘imposter syndrome’ can lead you to a conclusion that you’re not worthy of holding that seat.
“That’s what Dragons’ Den said to me when I joined. Everyone has something to add in every room. The reason you’re here is we felt you had something to add to this room.”
Tonight’s episode of Dragons’ Den features two friends from Nottinghamshire behind an inclusive range of dancewear; an eye surgeon turned inventor; two schoolmates turned founders who pitch a purpose-driven mobile network; and a Leicester-based entrepreneur with an accessibility-focused app.
The episode starts at 8pm on BBC One and will also be available on iPlayer.