Dragons’ Den TrackerWhat Happened to Lings Cars After Dragons’ Den?
Lings Cars appeared on Dragons’ Den in 2007, Series 4 Episode 2. The business was a website for car rentals. They secured investment from Duncan Bannatyne and Richard Farleigh on the show. The business is still active today.
The Pitch
Ling Valentine walked into the Den in 2007 with a website for car rentals. They were asking for £50,000 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. Duncan Bannatyne and Richard Farleigh offered £50,000 for 30%, and Ling Valentine 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
Lings Cars is one of those Den stories that actually lasted. Having appeared on the show back in 2007, the company has now been trading for well over a decade — an outcome that puts it ahead of the vast majority of startup ventures, let alone television pitches.
Is Lings Cars Still in Business?
Yes. Lings Cars appears to still be trading.
Related Companies
If you’re curious about other businesses from the same episode, you might also want to look at iTeddy, Tapanyaki Grill, Orthotic Group Gait, Varsity Wrestling. Each has its own story of what happened after the Den.
