The founders of a billion-pound brewery were rejected from BBC’s’s Dragons Den and claimed the show’s dragons missed on the “best deal in the show’s history”.
Entrepreneurs James Watt and Martin Dicki started Brewdog 15 years ago and have since become an international success with their famous alcohol being sold internationally.
In 2008, the pair applied to go on the hit TV show with their craft brewing business but failed to get past the first stage.
The business duo were invited to do a screen test and pitched their plan to the show’s producers.
They’d planned to offer the famous investors a 20 per cent stake in the company for £100,000.
But bosses decided their business wasn’t worth investment and the pair were instantly struck off from pitching to the show’s dragons.
(Image: PA)
However, their business is now worth a staggering £1.6billion – which would be the most profitable investment ever on the programme.
BrewDog continues to soar in popularity, with its brand well recognised across the world.
Reflecting on their journey on the BBC show, CEO James wrote on LinkedIn earlier this year: “We were totally crushed.
“We were prepared to offer the dragons 20 per cent for £100,000. Based on our latest BrewDog valuation, that investment would now be worth almost £360million, meaning the dragons missed out on by far the best deal in den history.
“We got over the rejection eventually. But it took a while.”
(Image: BBC)
James and Martin were both 24 when they kickstarted the business.
The company has since won several awards in its 15-year history and has up to 78 bars.
It comes after Dragon’s Den viewers slammed newcomer Steven Bartlett for using an “unfair tactic” during a pitch on Thursday’s (March 7) episode.
Entrepreneur Steven was called out when he gave guest David Hellard a 10 second time limit to accept or decline his offer.
(Image: PA)
Deciding on a deal, Steven said to the potential prospect: “I would do that with Peter…at 25 per cent but you have to give me your answer within ten seconds.”
The other Dragons and viewers were gobsmacked at Steven’s “dirty” tactics.
One fan wrote: “How arrogant is Steven, you can’t make up your own rules. #dragonsden”
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
