Footballer turned businessman Gary Neville invested in two businesses during his guest appearance on Dragons' Den - including a Manchester cacao business and an idea he hopes could create more affordable housing.
Neville on Thursday night became the first famous face to become a guest dragon on the BBC show. Four business owners pitch their ideas, with Neville putting in offers for three of them – two being accepted as joint ventures with other Dragons.
Manchester-based entrepreneur Liam Browne presented his cocoa business, Full Power Cocoa, and asked for £50,000 for 5% share in the venture.
Gary Neville, whose Relentless Developments is working on projects including the St Michael's scheme in Manchester city centre, hailed him as an “incredible ambassador” for his brand and for the city which led him to make an offer.
Fellow Dragons Steven Bartlett and Peter Jones also made persuasive offers which led Neville to propose that they all split the investment three ways while Bartlett and Jones each got 10% equity, Neville took 5% – which Browne happily agreed upon.
Speaking after the show aired, Liam said: “I’m ecstatic to get three Dragons on board. I cannot wait to start working with Steven Bartlett to strengthen and amplify my business and marketing strategy to further my mission of shedding light on the true magical and healing wonders of Cacao.”
And Steven Bartlett said: “From the moment Liam walked through the Den’s doors I was captivated by his calming aura and then his engaging pitch. I believe the business he set up over 10 years ago certainly sets itself apart from competitors and I’m truly looking forward to supporting Liam in scaling the company to new heights and disrupting the holistic wellness market.”
Also on the show, John and Sian pitched their Cosy Cinema business which allows guests to hire pods which are kitted out with a bed, surround sound and large screen. The Cardiff-based couple asked for £60,000 for 6% equity of their business.
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Gary Neville thought it was a good local idea but felt the pods had more potential to be used in affordable housing projects.
He said he was interested in “trying to crack the issue” of expensive land and construction costs and felt this could be a solution.
The former footballer initially offered all the money for 20% equity on the basis that they would change their business model. Fellow Dragon Touker Suleyman, who is involved in a co-living project, also put in an offer of £80,000 for 25% share.
After considering the proposals, the Cardiff couple asked if they would consider a partnership by investing £30,000 each for 10%, to which they agreed.
The episode also featured another historic moment when all six Dragons put in an offer for entrepreneur Giselle Boxer’s Acu Seeds business of a needle free ear acupuncture product. The Sheffield-based businesswoman explained she had established the product after seeking treatments when she was diagnosed with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, or ME, at the age of 26.
Neville said he lived with predominantly woman and that they would “never forgive” him if he did not met Boxer’s request of £50,000 for a 10% share of her business.
After receiving six offers, she decided to pick Bartlett as she explained she had been told she would met a man called Steven that was going to be really important in her life.
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Giselle Boxer said: "I'm particularly excited about partnering with Steven Bartlett, a hugely successful entrepreneur with a personal interest in health and wellbeing. His support and alignment with Acu Seeds' mission will undoubtedly propel us forward in our quest to bring holistic wellness to a broader audience."
Steven Bartlett said: “I’ve had my own personal journey with wellness and recognise that we need to explore more holistic methodologies in our approach to our general health and treating illnesses. When investing, I need to believe in the founder’s story behind the brand and after hearing Giselle talk through her journey with Acu Seeds, I’m confident, and clearly so are the other Dragon’s, that she has the potential to have great human impact with her business.”
Elsewhere in the episode was former professional footballer Billy Childs who was asking for a £100,000 investment in his memorabilia business, which sells worn items from top footballers, for 10% share in his company.
With his knowledge in the field, Neville explained to him: “I’ve got no doubts about this market, I’ve got no doubts about the evaluation of memorabilia, its a huge market.
“The elephant in the room for me is not any of the things that haven’t been mentioned so far – its the acquiring.
“As there isn’t a single football player that I know that ever gives their boots, gloves, shirt away to be profited from.
“Certainly the modern player, they would ordinarily give those away to auction for charity or they would give them away as a gift to a member of the community of a fan.
“And football players wouldn’t like the idea of their property that was gifted to someone being profited from.”
Neville said he could not invest in the business due to this but invited Childs to come see him as he felt he could give him advice on how he could work closer with football players.
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