³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ

Ian Taylor designer and developer of mobile digital ad vans is looking for an investment in his company Media Displays, but will his profit figures lead the dragons to a fast get away or a swift investment?

Ian Taylor owns Media Displays a mobile video advertising company which he expanded in 2009 to include TV bikes. Ian delivers a polished presentation outlining his aims to expand his current inventory and to introduce a direct sales team.

Theo Paphitis kicks off the first exchange and asks where Ian operates the business from? Ian operating out of a small functional office at home meets with Theo's approval and Ian tackles Theo's further questioning about his work force (which includes Ian's son) and his client base without a single side step.

James Caan wants to drill down into the company's finances and after a confident delivery of revenue figures from Ian he goes on to deliver a convincing argument for the advantages of the mobile advertising over existing digital bill boards.

Duncan Bannatyne not prepared to have the wool pulled over his eyes suspects that the company isn't making much profit and asks Ian for the figures which reveal that profit has only been made since year 4 of business.

Deborah Meaden cuts to chase and asks if Ian's company is operating at a profit forcing Ian to admit that he is only breaking even, but that his goal is to take a profit of £40, 000 this year. Deborah running out of patience for goals wants actual figures and after a fraught exchange Ian reveals his year end forecast to be only £25,000.

Theo is concerned that profits have gone down and points out that the business model doesn't work and declares himself out.

The dragons fall thick and fast as Peter Jones has also made up his mind and declares himself out questioning the longevity of the business.

Deborah doesn't think Ian knows how to make a profit and declares herself out.

And as Duncan uses the saying "turnover is vanity, and profit is sanity" he wishes Ian well and declares himself out.

With only one financial life line left Ian's potential complete failure in the den is in James' hands. Fortunately for Ian James likes the entrepreneur and thinks that he might just pull it off! Ian shows James the determination that he is looking for and James makes an offer of £80,000 for 45% of the company, dropping by 10% a year for 2 years if Ian achieves his business forecast.

A smiling Ian pushes back gently asking for James to drop his offer to 40%, James asks why Ian is suggesting a different figure and Ian's response that he is negotiating is met with laughter in the den.Ìý

James agrees to drop to a 40% share if Ian makes £40,000 profit by the end of the year and quickly the deal is struck.

The deal done in the Den:

James Caan: £80,000 for 45% of the business dropping if targets are met.

Last updated: 13th September 2010