Dragons’ Den is a BBC series in which budding entrepreneurs get three minutes to pitch their business ideas to five multi-millionaires willing to invest their own cash.
Deborah Meaden
From a very early age Deborah Meaden knew she wanted her own business.
Having left school after O-levels, Deborah studied at business college. Following graduation she worked as a sales room model in a fashion house before moving to Italy.
At the age of 19, with very little capital she launched her own glass and ceramics import company supplying upmarket stores like Harvey Nichols. Her next business venture was starting up one of the first Stefanels franchises in the country, but she soon became dissatisfied with the franchise model and sold her share to her business partner.
Deborah joined the panel of millionaire investors for series 3 of the programme, following the departure of Rachel Elnaugh and Doug Richard. She is now a full time investor with a portfolio which ranges from fashion to software, waste management to market research.
A few of Deborah's notable investments include MyDish, the recipe sharing website for people who love to cook and most recently, Ploughcroft, the solar power and renewable energy specialists.
Hilary Devey
Turned down for a bank loan in 1995, Hilary chose to sell her house and car to finance her own business. She has since become one of Britain's most inspiring and successful businesswomen.
Pulling pints in her father's pub after school, Hilary began working from an early age. She left Bolton Grammar at 16 with aspirations to become an air traffic controller with the Women's Royal Air Force.
In 1996, in a disused RAF hangar, Pall-Ex was born; back then it was a one truck, one woman, pallet exchange business. She initially signed up 35 haulier members, enabling Hilary to cover the length and breadth of the UK. Now her multi-million pound empire distributes up to 9000 pallets a day from its central hub in Leicestershire. It was a revolutionary concept that has since become an industry norm. Today she has set her sights on even bigger goals, and as CEO is currently overseeing Pall-Ex's pan-European expansion.
Hilary has a portfolio of other business investments, but having made her mark in what traditionally might be seen as a male dominated industry, she is passionate about encouraging other women into the type of jobs they might not believe they are capable of doing.
Duncan Bannatyne
This former king of the 99s made money from an ice cream van before moving on to nursing homes and health clubs.
A poverty-stricken childhood steeled Duncan's drive to make his fortune from an early age. After his naval career, which included a spell in military prison, Duncan drifted from job to job, ending up in Jersey. It was here that he made the decision to turn his life around.
He began his entrepreneurial life by trading in cars, but it was with an ice cream van purchased for £450 that he changed the course of his life. With 'Duncan's Super Ices', he set out to become the King of the 99 and eventually sold the business for £28,000, founding a nursing home business with the proceeds.
Duncan holds an OBE, and is an honorary Doctor of Science from Glasgow Caledonian University for services to business. He was also was given an honorary Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) title from the University of Teesside.
A Dragon in the Den since the first series, Duncan has invested millions of pounds since the series began.
Theo Paphitis
Theo Paphitis is one of the UK's most high profile businessmen. His empire spans retail, property, finance and consumer goods.
Born in Cyprus, his family came to Britain in the 1960s. Theo first showed his business skills at the tender age of 15 when he was put in charge of his school tuck shop and achieved notable success with the venture.
His formal working career started as a junior clerk (assistant to the tea boy) with a Lloyd's of London broker, before he moved into retail at the age of 18.
Through his appearances on Dragons' Den, Theo has advised many young entrepreneurs and invested in several innovative businesses and brands. The Paphitis Charitable Trust distributes all of his fees from TV appearances, speeches and his book to causes close to his heart and charities associated with children.
One of Theo's most notable investments was the Magic Whiteboard which saw him team up with Deborah Meaden to invest £100,000 in their innovative alternative to the flipchart pad.
Peter Jones
The feeling of power gained from sitting in his dad's office chair as a boy sparked Peter Jones's motivation to make big money.
At the age of 28, Peter joined corporate giant Siemens Nixdorf and ran its computer business in the UK.
In 1998 he founded Phones International Group, a telecommunications firm that now generates revenues in excess of £200m.
The Peter Jones Foundation was established in 2005 to offer funding and support to underprivileged children in the UK.
Peter was awarded a CBE in the 2009 New Year Honours List for services to business, entrepreneurship and young people.
Along with Duncan, Peter has been an ever present Dragon since the programme started in 2005.
Undoubtedly one of the most memorable participants on the show was Levi Roots, musician and self proclaimed 'Dragon Slayer', who won investment from Peter and Richard Farleigh for his business, Reggae Reggae Sauce.
James Caan
James Caan is one of the UK’s most successful and dynamic entrepreneurs.
He is the founder and CEO of Hamilton Bradshaw, based in Mayfair, London. The company was founded in 2004 and specialises in buyouts, venture capital, turnarounds, and real estate investment in the UK.
James knew from a young age that he wanted to run his own business. His father was probably his biggest influence: he owned a successful leather goods manufacturing business and hoped James would one day takeover. James decided not to pursue a career in the family business and instead followed his own path to become an entrepreneur.
Throughout his time on the show, he met some incredibly talented and passionate entrepreneurs.
One of James' most memorable investments on the show was with Laban Roomes, the man behind Goldgenie. James recognised Laban’s passion, determination and raw talent investing £60,000 for a 40% stake in his business.
