Former pharmacist Gulshen Bano is last to step into the ring with her women-only self-defence venture.

Strike Back is based in Birmingham and runs confidence-building self-defence courses and training for girls and women – taught by female instructors – from the age of ten.

“We’re a story, a culture, a movement… not just a plant drink.”

Deborah says other similar businesses might say the same and, as she prefers oat, she won’t be investing.

“We’ll make it away,” says Karmen in the lift.

“At the end of the day, nothing’s going to stop us.”

Jones: “There’s no real background here and you’ve come in at a £4m valuation.” He’s out.

Jenna is also out.

Touker respects the “personal mission” but isn’t convinced he will even get his money back and is out.

Deborah loves plant-based products and asks them to convince her to ditch oat milk for this.

 

Steve warns her “out of love” that the potential investment sounds too good to be true.

Karmen talks of her struggles and tribulations and thanks God for her drive.

Steve says the business is too early for him.

Karmen is a nurse and lost her mum in 2023.

She went into Yosef’s coffee shop with her brother and they got talking.

Karmen says she has a potential offer on the table of £2m at a £25m valuation.

Jones is sceptical – “It’s a business that doesn’t exist yet.”

Launched recently, The Original Teff-ly is available in original, a barista version, Teff-ly vanilla and a chocolate option. The drinks cost £2.98.

They want £100k for 2.5%!

A plant-based drink powered by an east African super-crop rich in protein, fibre, iron and calcium is the brainchild of two Leeds-based business partners.

Karmen Gadi and Yosef Brhane want to bring Ethiopian teff – which has an earthy, nutty taste – to the plant-based milk market and take on the power of oat milk.

Murat also wants to build one of the biggest voices on the internet and wants to partner with Steve for the media power.

He counter-offers 9%.

But Steve stands firm on 15%.

And Murat agrees! “Do you love it?” he asks.

“I do.”

“We have a deal!”

Steve also makes him an offer! He offers all of the money for 15%.

 

Jenna is out because even though she likes it, “it’s not perfect”.

Deborah Meaden says he has got “something” and will make him an offer.

“I’m surprising myself to be honest… but your valuation is crazy.”

She wants 12% for the money he asked for.

Jones owns Jessops and says they could do it themselves quite easily.

If he didn’t already have shareholders, he would offer to buy the business, take it in-house and give Murad a job as MD of its photo grouop worldwide!

“I think you’re exceptional as an individual.”

But he’s out.

In 2022 they generated £400 turnover with a net loss of £30k.

They then did £11k with an £84k loss.

Then in 2024 £36k, with a loss of £45k.

He is predicting turnover of £270k in the next 12 months. “You’re looking through a crystal ball,” says Touker.

He raised six months ago at a £2.5m valuation.

Steve Bartlett says the platform is saving people time and effort – like Deliveroo, which doesn’t provide food but the means to get it.

He disagrees with Touker, who think there are a limited number of people who would want this.

Touker is out despite saying he is credible.

Mosaic Journal has 1,000 paid subscribers – despite only consisting of Murad and his developer.

Subscriptions cost £9.99 per month, but a Dragons’ Den sale gives users a free month of photos, a 365-day album and free shipping for £29.99.

He is asking for £70k for 4% of the business and hands an album to each Dragon.

Jenna likes it. He tells her he thinks social media is broken and this is how he wants to fix the preservation of memories.

Also launched in 2022, Mosaic Journal transforms smartphone memories into cherished keepsakes. The subscription service prints your photos every month so you can put them in an old-school photo album which lasts for a year.

Next to pitch is charismatic Murad Huseynov – who hopes the Dragons can picture the profits in his business.

Huseynov was born in Azerbaijan but spent most of his life in London.

“Do you need to think about it?” she is asked

“No!” comes the reply.

She asks the Dragons to “bring it in” for a hug and departs with a spring in her step.

Jones really likes it! He says she needs investment – but it is a risk.

The OG Dragon wants to share the investment with Touker – “you’ve put me on the spot!”

Jones offers £25k for 15%.

Touker matches that offer.

Jenna likes the style of the idea – and Chloe says she is targeting festivals.

Touker, however, says she needs staff to get this thing properly off the ground.