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What Happened to Ploughcroft Solar After Dragons’ Den?

Ploughcroft Solar appeared on Dragons’ Den in 2011, Series 9 Episode 1. The business was a company that installs solar panels in homes. They secured investment from Deborah Meaden and Theo Paphitis on the show. The company was dissolved in 2024.

The Pitch

Chris Hopkins walked into the Den in 2011 with a company that installs solar panels in homes. They were asking for £120,000 in exchange for 25% 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. Deborah Meaden and Theo Paphitis offered £120,000 for 25%, and Chris Hopkins 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

Ploughcroft Solar did not survive long-term. The company was dissolved in 2024, some 13 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 Ploughcroft Solar Still in Business?

No. Ploughcroft Solar is no longer in business. Companies House records show the company has been dissolved.

Related Companies

If you’re curious about other businesses from the same episode, you might also want to look at The Present Club, Egglu, Miruji Health, WarmaHorn. Each has its own story of what happened after the Den.

Watch the Pitch

Companies House Data

Status
dissolved
Company Number
05750349
Registered Name
PLOUGHCROFT LTD
Incorporated
2006-03-21 (ceased 2024-03-18)
Company Type
ltd
SIC Codes
43290
Registered Address
C/O Begbies Traynor (London) Llp, 31st Floor, 40 Bank Street, London, E14 5NR
Accounts
unaudited-abridged (period ending 2020-12-31)
Latest Financials
Total Assets Less Liabilities
-136315
Employees
8
Period
2020-01-01 to 2020-12-31
Officers
  • KERSHAW, Keith — director
    C/O Begbies Traynor (London) Llp, 31st Floor, 40 Bank Street, London, E14 5NR
  • STANTON, Edward — director
    C/O Begbies Traynor (London) Llp, 31st Floor, 40 Bank Street, London, E14 5NR
  • HOPKINS, Helen Michelle — secretary (resigned 2016-12-22)
    The Courtyard, Green Lane, Heywood, Lancashire, OL10 2EX, United Kingdom
  • FORM 10 SECRETARIES FD LTD — corporate-nominee-secretary (resigned 2006-03-22)
    39a Leicester Road, Salford, Manchester, M7 4AS
  • BHOGAITA, Rajesh Prabhashanker — director (resigned 2021-01-15)
    The Courtyard, Green Lane, Heywood, Lancashire, OL10 2EX, United Kingdom
  • BURKE, Anthony — director (resigned 2022-08-23)
    The Courtyard, Green Lane, Heywood, Lancashire, OL10 2EX, United Kingdom
  • HOPKINS, Christopher Sean — director (resigned 2016-12-22)
    The Courtyard, Green Lane, Heywood, Lancashire, OL10 2EX, United Kingdom
  • TAPPIN, Nicholas Stephen — director (resigned 2019-06-03)
    The Courtyard, Green Lane, Heywood, Lancashire, OL10 2EX, United Kingdom
  • FORM 10 DIRECTORS FD LTD — corporate-nominee-director (resigned 2006-03-22)
    39a Leicester Road, Salford, Manchester, M7 4AS
← Series 9 ← Episode 1