Dragons’ Den TrackerWhat Happened to First Light Solutions After Dragons’ Den?
First Light Solutions appeared on Dragons’ Den in 2006, Series 3 Episode 3. The business was a sonar-based man-overboard detection system. They secured investment from Richard Farleigh on the show. The company was dissolved in 2012.
The Pitch
Matthew Hazell walked into the Den in 2006 with a sonar-based man-overboard detection system. They were asking for £100,000 in exchange for 30% of the business.
The pitch landed well enough in the Den that at least one Dragon decided to back it.
The Deal
A deal was struck on the show. Richard Farleigh offered £100,000 for 30%, and Matthew Hazell accepted.
It’s worth noting that Dragons’ Den deals agreed on camera often go through further negotiation off-screen. Some complete as shown; others are renegotiated or never finalise at all. The company’s subsequent trading history is the clearest indicator of what actually happened.
What Happened After the Show
First Light Solutions did not survive long-term. The company was dissolved in 2012, some 6 years after the pitch.
This is not an unusual outcome. The majority of businesses that appear on Dragons’ Den, deal or no deal, don’t make it in the long run. The show can provide a platform and capital, but it can’t substitute for a sustainable business model.
Is First Light Solutions Still Available?
No. First Light Solutions is no longer in business. Based on available records, the company is dissolved (2012).
Related Companies
If you’re curious about other businesses from the same episode, you might also want to look at The Knowledge, UR-In The Paper, Itsa, Chicurela. Each has its own story of what happened after the Den.
