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Gavin and Alan Burton dazzled in The Den - but would their educational products get top marks from the Dragons?

The Dragons were all impressed by Gavin and Alan and the inroads they had made in the educational market with their Tree of Knowledge products. The duo reported that well over 50% of all Scottish secondary schools had brought from their range and they were keen to now replicate that success south of the border.

Four Dragons joined in the fun at the end of the pitch by trying a team building exercise which required them to unravel a complex knot without letting go of their various ends of rope.

Duncan Bannatyne began the Q & A by opining that what the pair have achieved is admirable and fantastic.

Peter Jones discovers the pair had a turnover of £360,000 last year of which just over half was gross profit and £20,000 was net. The duo predict that once they start selling in England turnover will reach £800,000 in year one with projected gross profits of £340,000.

Asked about the unit cost by James Caan, the pair reply it works out at £1600 each - this includes their own costs across two days.

Deborah Meaden wants to know about the corporate team building market and finds out that they have made £15,000 from this but admit that they are still in the early stages of this particular avenue.

Theo Papthis asks why they have not extended their range of products if they have reached saturation point in Scotland. The duo say this is what they have tried to do and the key to expansion is to expand into the rest of the UK - they had much potential interest at a recent NEC exhibition.

Peter Jones raises the stakes at this point. Lavish in his praise, he offers them £50,000 for a 20% share of the business.

James Caan feels he cannnot follow suit. He admits he likes what he sees but questions whether he would get a good return and so declares himself out.

Deborah Meaden follows James's lead, saying that as she knows very little about the sector she too is out.

With previous investments in the area and a knowledge of their fiefdom, Duncan would be an ideal co-investor with Peter. However he disappoints the pair by saying that he found working in this sector "boring" and declares himself out.

Theo tells the duo that while he wants to find a reason to invest, he cannot justify it.

This means that under Den rules Peter Jones has to invest all the money if they are to be successful. He says that he might have done so if the amount of money they wanted or the share they offered was higher but he will not match all of what they asked and withdraws his original offer.

All of the Dragons seem impressed by Gavin and Alan but ultimately the pair leave the Den with nothing.

The deal done in the Den:

No investment

Last updated: 9th August 2010