Canadian Dragons’ Den pitches that got the cash and made millions
lovemoney staff
27 September 2017
The show's biggest success stories
Getting a plum deal on Dragons' Den Canada is no meant feat, and while many entrepreneurs have failed to secure the cash and expertise needed to grow their entreprise, other business people have bagged the requisite finance and help, and have seen their sales skyrocket as a result. From Dig It Apparel to Holy Crap, we reveal the most successful Canadian Dragons' Den businesses of all time.
Dig It Apparel
Long-time friends Claudia Harvey and Wendy Johannson became business partners back in 2008. The pair created their clever Dig It Handwear gardening glove not long after and won a slot on season four of the CBC show.
Dig It Apparel
Notoriously picky Dragon Kevin O'Leary saw the potential in the ladies' innovation, which protects manicured hands, and stumped up $50,000 (US $40k) in exchange for 10% of the company, along with 3% royalties, which he eventually dropped.
Dig It Apparel
The company really took off following the show, which aired in 2010. These days, the Dig It line, which now include eyewear and beauty products, is available in a number of retailers in Canada, including Home Depot and Lowe's.
Shoelery by Erica Giuliani
Patricia and Nadia Macri set up their Shoelery by Erica Giuliani footwear accessories line back in 2008. Their footwear jewels were a hit from the get-go, but by 2010 the sisters needed a cash injection and advice on how to grow their business.
Shoelery by Erica Giuliani
The pair turned to the Dragons and made an appearance on the fourth season of the show in 2010. Though they fumbled their pitch, messing up on the figures, the Dragons were keen on the idea and Arlene Dickinson ended up offering $60,000 (US $50k) for a 33% stake in the business.
Shoelery by Erica Giuliani
Since the sisters appeared on the show, Shoelery by Erica Giuliani has gone from strength to strength. The company, which now turns over millions of dollars annually, has secured deals with scores of retailers worldwide and has expanded the range to include Boot Belts and Fur Covers.
Steeped Tea
When Hatem and Tonia Jahshan pitched their premium loose tea direct sales business to the Dragons back in 2012, they was struggling to turn a profit, but their Avon and Tupperware-style tea 'parteas' were catching on fast in their home town of Cambridge, Ontario.
Steeped Tea
Desperate to scale up the burgeoning business, the husband and wife team nailed their pitch to perfection and sealed a deal with Dragons Jim Treliving and David Chilton, who each offered $125,000 (US $100k) for 10% of the enterprise.
Steeped Tea
After the show aired, sales skyrocketed. Fast-forward to 2017 and Steeped Tea is the leading direct seller of loose tea in North America. The company boasts 9,000 consultants in Canada and the US, and turns over a cool $20 million (US $16m) a year.
Urban Cultivator
Green-fingered trio Tarren Wolfe, Myles Omand and Davin MacGregor set up their hydroponics gardening business in 2010, launching a range of products to help people with no outside space grow microgreens, herbs, vegetables and flowers indoors.
Urban Cultivator
The Surrey-based trio turned to the Dragons to help them expand the business, appearing on the sixth season of the CBC show in an episode that aired in January 2012. Arlene Dickinson loved the concept and offered $400,000 (US $320k) in exchange for 20% equity, which the guys duly accepted.
Urban Cultivator
Thanks to Dickinson's cash and expert advice, the threesome's hydroponics business is flourishing. The firm, which employs 24 staff full-time, has expanded in a big way and its products are now sold all over North America, Europe and Australia.
OMG's
The founders of popular candy line Clodhoppers, Chris Emery and Larry Finnson created a startup called OMG's in 2012 producing yummy chocolate and nut-laden graham cracker treats. In need of cash and publicity, the pair appeared on the Dragons' Den show that same year.
OMG's
The Dragons were super-impressed by the success of the pair's Clodhoppers candy line, so much so that Arlene Dickinson put her money where her mouth is and invested $250,000 (US $200k) in exchange for 50% of the business.
OMG's
Edging towards household name status in Canada, OMG's are now stocked in thousands of stores throughout the nation. The company has 15 full-time employees on its books and turns over millions of dollars a year.
AWAKE Chocolate
Staying with confectionery, Toronto-based trio Matt Schnarr, Adam Deremo and Dan Tzotzis took their caffeine-loaded 'Kit Kat meets Red Bull' chocolate to the Dragons in 2013, closing a deal following due diligence with David Chilton, who invested $200,000 (US $160k) for 20% equity.
AWAKE Chocolate
The turbo-charged chocolate bars, each of which contains the same amount of caffeine as a cup of coffee, began to fly off the shelves once the show had aired, and within a year business was booming.
AWAKE Chocolate
AWAKE Chocolate now turns over an impressive $8 million (US $6.5m) a year, compared to just $500,000 (US $400k) in 2012. The candy bars are stocked in over 20,000 locations in Canada and the US, and have become the go-to chocolate treat for caffeine fans in North America.
Love Child Organics
Whistler couple John and Leah Garrad-Cole snagged the biggest deal in the history of Dragons' Den Canada when they secured an eye-watering investment of $750,000 (US $606k) for their organic baby and toddler food business during season eight.
Love Child Organics
Dragons David Chilton and Arlene Dickinson were full of admiration for the pair's business savvy and thrifty ethos, and teamed up to fund the company and provide expert guidance. Since the show aired in November 2013, the firm has been thriving.
Love Child Organics
Love Child Organics has clinched deals with major Canadian and US retailers, including Walmart, Whole Foods and Shopper's Drug Mart, and the company has expanded its range to include organic snacks.
Kelp Caviar
Montreal's Naor Cohen wowed the Dragons when he appeared on season eight of the show in 2013, seeking funding and expert guidance for his fledgling vegan seaweed caviar business. Cohen eventually walked away with a $100,000 (US $80k) investment deal courtesy of David Chilton.
Kelp Caviar
The company experienced phenomenal growth following the show's airing. By 2014, the firm was turning over $2 million (US $1.6m) annually. Cohen has since branched out into producing ultra-premium sturgeon caviar and has even managed to buy out Chilton.
Kelp Caviar
Canada's number one supplier of kelp and sturgeon caviar, Kelp Caviar is available in 19 countries worldwide and the multimillion-dollar company's sturgeon egg range is sold in Canada, the US, Europe, South Africa and the UAE.
Dr. Mist
Entrepreneur Claudette Leduc from Lachine, Quebec braved the Dragons' Den in 2012 when she pitched her all-natural deodorant, which is based on Dead Sea minerals and salt, and promises to keep users fresh and odour-free for up to three days.
Dr. Mist
Dragon Brett Wilson was the most enthused, and parted with $100,000 (US $80k) in exchange for a 5% royalty on sales. Wilson certainly made the right choice. Since the show aired, Dr. Mist has become ubiquitous in Canada and has even made forays into the US market.
Dr. Mist
The Dead Sea mineral and salt-based product is now Canada's number one natural deodorant and can be snapped up from a whole host of major mainstream retailers, including Amazon, Costco and Superstore.
Holy Crap
Husband and wife entrepreneurial team Brian and Corin Mullins set up their wholesome gluten-free, all-vegan and organic cereal company in 2009 with an investment of just $129 (US $104). The Mullins developed the cereal to address Brian's gluten intolerance issues.
Holy Crap
Upon tasting the delicious cereal, one of the couple's first customers exclaimed, “Holy Crap... this is amazing!” and the company's name was born. The pair pitched their product to the Dragons in 2010 and a second time in 2016, eventually securing a deal with Manjit Minhas.
Holy Crap
Regarded as the biggest success story to come out of Canada's Dragons' Den show, Holy Crap was turning over $20 million (US $16m) by 2014, and is currently stocked by a plethora of stores across Canada and the US.
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