³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ

Freelance designer Graeme Turner needs an investment to expand his business creating bespoke wallpaper. The nervous entrepreneur makes it though his pitch but he needs to keep his cool as the Dragons start their interrogation.

Shaf Rasul strikes first and asks what the price Graeme charges his customers. He replies that the selling price is £300 per room and with his competition selling at between £400 to £600 he believes his company has opened up the market.

But a concerned Shaf asks what is stopping the football clubs featured in the designs from doing it themselves. Graeme believes they simply wouldn't want to and are happy to pass the contract on to third parties. Shaf firmly disagrees, pointing out that in the present climate clubs would explore any possibility to make money.

Pressed, the entrepreneur concedes he only holds loose copyright on the photographs and the idea.

Julie Myer changes tack and wants to know what else his company could do for the clubs. Graeme reels off a list of products he can provide. The inventor seems to be clawing back his self confidence and Julie seems especially taken with his shower curtain.

But an unyielding Shaf turns to contracts. Currently Graeme pays £5,000 up front for a year's contract with a club but as yet has not made that back in sales. To get the bigger clubs on side he admits he will have to pay a significant amount more to entice them on board. On that basis Shaf suggests the entrepreneur will need a bigger investment than the one he is looking for.

And things start to slip away further when Graeme reveals he has only sold six so far.

Under questioning from Julie Meyer, Graeme explains he has worked as a freelance graphic designer for the past 12 years and has managed to take a £30,000 salary from his work. He has concentrated on less lucrative work in the north of England due to lifestyle choices.

That word acts as a cue for her exit. "It's a lifestyle business" she opines and although she can see Graeme doing well it isn't an investment opportunity for her. She is out.

While Shaf Rasul disagrees with Julie and believes it could be a multi-million pound business, a lack of intellectual property protection makes him feel any investment would be worthless. On that basis he, too, is out.

A disappointed Graeme leaves the Den with nothing.

The deal done in the Den:

No investment

Last updated: 31st March 2010