The best selling inventions that beat TV's Dragons

Aug 31 2008

INVENTOR James Halliburton turned the tables on the Dragons' Den tycoons when he turned down their investment offer last year and is now set to make millions with his innovative floating keyring for yacht owners.

The 28-year-old has just signed massive contracts for his Waterbuoy, a key-fob fitted with an automatically inflating balloon to keep keys afloat when they fall in water.

Dragons Peter Jones and Theo Paphitis were going to invest £100,000 in return for 12.5 per cent of James' firm but he bravely decided to go it alone and will soon be a millionaire.

Here, HEATHER GREENAWAY looks at 10 other Dragons' Den success stories and the products that are taking the nation by storm.

TRUNKI

A HARD PLASTIC RIDE-ON SUITCASE FOR CHILDREN

Rob Law's invention is a global hit that has made him more than £1million.

But the 30-year-old, of Bristol, was rejected by the Dragons, with Duncan Bannatyne saying kids were perfectly happy with backpacks.

Last year, Bannatyne told the Sunday Mail: "One of my biggest investment regrets was the Trunki."

CREAM CUTIE

A CHOCOLATE ORANGE WINE-BASED LIQUEUR

Scot Anne Hempstock was told by Peter Jones that her business was worth "diddly squat".

But Asda trialled the drink in seven stores and sales trebled, which led to it being introduced nationwide.

Anne, 48, of Dalbeattie, Kirkcudbrightshire, has also launched a strawberry version.

CUDDLEDRY

AN APRON THAT DOUBLES AS A COSY BABY TOWEL

Mums Helen Wooldridge and Polly Marsh excited the Dragons but turned down their £100,000 investment offer.

Helen, 36, and Polly, 37, of Somerset, signed a deal with Mothercare instead and received investment from friends and business contacts.

The firm have an expected turnover of £450,000 by the end of the year.

ITSA

A CLEVER BEACHBAG THAT OPENS UP INTO A TOWEL

The Dragons laughed at this invention from computer businessman David Glashan, 54, and his wife Sarah, 43 - but they have made £370,000.

The Southend couple received 150 orders via their website the morning after the show and have now sold more than 187,000 worldwide.

TANGLE TEEZER

A DEVICE FOR DE-TANGLING HAIR

The Dragons tried to brush aside hairdresser Shaun Pulfrey, 46, of Lincolnshire, but his firm are forecasting a £1.5million turnover.

All refused to invest in the £9.99 brush last August, with James Caan accusing Shaun of not thinking through his business plan.

But Shaun now supplies top salons such as Toni and Guy, Regis UK and Urban Retreat in Harrods. It is also on sale in Boots.

REGGAE REGGAE SAUCE

JAMAICAN-STYLE TABLE SAUCE

THE most famous Dragons' Den success has to be Rastafarian singer Levi Roots, 49, of London, and his homemade jerk sauce.

The Dragons pointed out he had misread an order his pitch was hinged on but Richard Farleigh and Peter Jones still gave him £25,000 for a 20 per cent stake in the firm.

The sauce quickly took off and Levi has now sold more than one million bottles.

STABLETABLE

A PLASTIC WEDGE THAT STOPS TABLES WOBBLING

Andrew Gordon, 33, of Edinburgh, was told his invention was "ridiculous" but two million have sold and he has made more than £1million profit.

The Dragons laughed him out of their den in 2005 but Andrew has now signed a deal to distribute his handy gadget to the USA and has also sold to Kensington Palace.

DESTINATION GAME

INNOVATIVE BOARDGAME

Cabbie Rachel Lowe, 29, was turned down by the Dragons two years ago.

But the Londoner launched her game in Hamleys, where it became the top-selling Christmas gift.

She has now produced versions based on UK cities, Paris and New York, plus Harry Potter and Disney editions. If she sold her shares, she would make more than £2million.

iTEDDY

AN ELECTRONIC BEAR THAT CAN READ BEDTIME STORIES

IMRAN Hakim's teddy was panned by Duncan Bannatyne but it is set to make its creator a millionaire.

The 30-year-old, of Bolton, Lancashire, received £140,000 from Peter Jones and Theo Paphitis in return for a 20 per cent share of the company.

The bear went on sale in Argos last July - and 10,000 sold out in two days.

FITFURLIFE

A TREADMILL FOR DOGS

SAMMY French's idea wowed the Dragons and James Caan became her business partner.

The treadmill is used to aid the rehabilitation of poorly animals and by trainers who need to get their dogs up to high fitness.

Sammy, of Surrey, has distribution in Ireland and Europe and is negotiating with the US and New Zealand.