Dragons’ Den Tracker

The Pitch

John Darlington walked into the Den in 2007 with a garden rake with multiple grips. They were asking for £100,000.

Despite their best efforts, the pitch didn’t convince the Dragons to open their wallets.

The Deal

No deal was made. The Dragons weren’t persuaded to invest, and John Darlington left the Den without backing.

What Happened After the Show

Spider Grab Rake did not survive long-term. The company was dissolved in 2017, some 10 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 Spider Grab Rake Still Available?

No. Oak Enterprise Tools Ltd 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 iTeddy, Lings Cars, Tapanyaki Grill, Orthotic Group Gait. Each has its own story of what happened after the Den.

Watch the Pitch

Videos

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POTTY TRAINING IN A CUP | Dragons' Den - BBC

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Stoffel, the honey badger that can escape from anywhere! - BBC