We were rejected on Dragons' Den and now we're worth billions
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Standing in front of five extremely successful and wealthy business moguls and asking them to invest their hard-earned money into a venture you've thrown everything at is a daunting task. But for the entrepreneurs who walk out of Dragons' Den with cash injections of tens of thousands of pounds, the reward is well worth the anxiety.
![[Nicola Wood said in 2024 that her business was set to turn over £1million after being rejected by the Dragons in 2017]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/13/16/94044319-14278683-image-m-38_1736787097698.jpg)
Of course, the majority of hopefuls who walk into the lair of the top executives leave empty-handed - but it's by no means the end of the line, as some go on to reach dizzying heights despite hearing the dreaded words, 'I'm out'. Under the gaze of millions of viewers on prime time TV, entrepreneurs have been laughed at, branded clueless and even reduced to tears by the Dragons.
![[Nicola failed to impress with her 'Easi-Weft' hair extension holder, which she says makes it easier to style hair]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/13/16/94044317-14278683-image-a-36_1736787090216.jpg)
And yet, despite being eviscerated in the boardroom, some founders of small businesses who failed to secure investments have used the Dragons' rejection as motivation to succeed. And succeed they have, with some boasting millionaire status while others have become so well known in their own right, one could be forgiven for forgetting they ever appeared on Dragons' Den.
![[After being rejected by the Dragons, Natalie Ellis then went to Chicago and launched her business across the pond]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/13/16/94044305-14278683-image-a-28_1736786932068.jpg)
Many even used the platform of the BBC show to launch their businesses to other notable investors and saw their profits soar thanks to the feature on the show. Here, FEMAIL checks in with some of the biggest success stories that the Dragons missed out on...
![[In 2008, Natalie Ellis stepped into the Den representing her brand, Prestige Pets and brought the Road Refresher Bowl along with her for a demonstration]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/13/16/94044325-14278683-image-a-39_1736787125000.jpg)
While the millionaires from BBC's hit Dragons Den have enjoyed plenty of success from investing in products discovered on the show, there are also many missed opportunities. Pictured L-R: James Caan, Deborah Meaden, Peter Jones, Theo Paphitis and Duncan Bannatyne.
![[Lee Dein's success has allowed her to travel around the world, documenting her travels on her Instagram page]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/13/16/94044321-14278683-image-m-41_1736787153348.jpg)
