Dragons' Den: Pitches in series 22 finale tonight include app for disabled, inclusive dancewear, tape, and Honest Mobile
It's Sara Davies' last episode - for now!
Dragons’ Den series 22 comes to an end tonight, with Peter Jones, Deborah Meaden, Sara Davies, Steven Bartlett and Touker Suleyman considering a variety of pitches.
First up, two friends from Nottinghamshire ask for investment in their range of inclusive dance wear. Meanwhile, an eye surgeon-turned-inventor hopes the Dragons will see the potential in his clever fix for lost tape ends…
Two schoolmates-turned-founders then pitch a purpose-driven mobile network, while a Leicester-based entrepreneur unveils an accessibility-focused app.
Here’s everything you need to know about the pitches on Dragons’ Den tonight.
Dragons’ Den pitches tonight: Shades inclusive dance wear
Business partners and friends from Nottingham arrive in the Den to pitch their range of inclusive dance wear Shades.
They want £75,000 for a 10% stake in their business. They explain how Shades delivers “dance wear for every dancer”. Their aim is to “empower dancers of all ages, races, and body types with comfortable, stylish, skin tone dance staples”.
Shades offer inclusive dance wear, including diverse skin tone products, extended sizing, and gender‑neutral fits. They offer five products – including tights and dance belts – in four shades and multiple sizes. Prices range from £9 for children’s ballet tights, to £28 for a dance belt. Leotards are incoming.
Peter Jones says their pitch was “impactful”, while Deborah says it’s “important stuff”. But is it a sensible investment for any of the Dragons?
Dragons’ Den pitches tonight: See the Tape
Entrepreneur Rajan Bhojwani pitches his business See the Tape. The eye surgeon-turned-inventor from Nottinghamshire hopes the Dragons will see the potential in his clever fix for lost tape ends…
He believes the product he’s created “helps everyone”. Rajan asks for £35,000 for a 25% share in his company. Basically, See the Tape is a clear tape against a dark background, meaning it’s easier to see.
Thanks to our Darkcore Patent Approved design, the end of the clear cellotape is always visible. The transparent tape “boasts a robust 50-micron thickness, offering stronger adhesion than standard sticky tape”. It’s described as user-friendly, and endorsed by the Partially Sighted Society.
The dark-core design keeps the tape edge visible, eliminating frustration, and is compatible with all standard cellotape dispensers.
Currently two rolls of clear tape costs £5.99 on Amazon. Touker asks if there’s a market for the product, while Deborah highlights what she thinks might be a major issue with the tape.
Dragons’ Den series 22 pitches tonight: Honest Mobile
Childhood friends Josh Mihill and Andy Aitken appear in the Den to pitch their business Honest Mobile. The duo believe their product will improve the mobile phone network industry as a whole, and is as sustainable as possible.
The co-founders of Honest Mobile explain that they are “on a mission to make the world’s best mobile phone network”. Josh tells the Dragons that Honest Mobile bills go down every month “just for sticking around”. He also promises that they “respond to customers in seconds”.
Their upcoming Smart Sim product promises four-times better mobile phone coverage than any other network provider. They ask for £110,000 in exchange for 1% of the business. Peter, who has lots of experience in the market, believes Josh and Andy are there for his investment. But will he – or any of the Dragons – part with their cash?
Snowball Community Limited app for disabled users
Simon Sansome from Leicester pitches his company Snowball Community Limited – a world-wide community that helps the disabled “find and review restaurants, shops, attractions (and more) based on how accessible they are”.
The largely user-generated app allows users to rate and review venues for disability access, with tens of thousands of reviews integrated with Google Maps.
He explains how in 2014, he had a “life-changing injury” which left him a full-time wheelchair user. He became one of the 20% of the UK who are considered disabled. Simon subsequently had the idea for his business. Although he’s the first to admit he’s “not a business person”.
Founder Simon has already won an award for his business, and has been named in the top 10 most influential people in the UK (Disability Power 100). He’s even appeared on the BBC before, and was featured on Steph’s Packed Lunch talking about the app.
Paralympic Gold Medallist Hannah Cockcroft and Tokyo Gold Medalist Aaron Phipps are Brand Ambassadors for Snowball Community which has over 100k followers on social media. Snowball Community App is free and can be downloaded on Apple and Android.
Fledging entrepreneur Simon describes it as “an advanced Trip Advisor for the disabled”. But will any of the Dragons – Peter Jones, Deborah Meaden, Touker Suleyman, Sara Davies and Steven Bartlet – bite?
Why is Sara Davies leaving the BBC show?
Sara Davies confirmed she was leaving Dragons’ Den after series 22. She revealed she planned to “step away” from filming to focus on her own business.
In a statement posted on Instagram, she said she had “taken the decision to step away from the Den for now, to focus on my own business”. Sara is the founder of Crafters Companion, a crafting company she launched in 2005.
In her post, Sara said: “As a lot of you will know, I’ve taken up my position again as CEO of Crafter’s Companion and my business is my big priority this year. And when I commit to a business, I really commit, which is why I find Dragons’ Den such a rewarding role.”
She added: “It means seeing through your investment and committing to your part in that organisation. It’s so much more than a TV show.
“That’s why taken the decision to step away from the Den for now, to focus on my own business, which was my first baby! So I won’t be filming with the team this year for the next series.”
The BBC has not yet announced who will replace her in a possible series 23 and beyond. Her fans will know that Sara became the youngest ever female Dragon when she joined the series aged 35 in 2019. She is now 40.
Will there be a series 23 of Dragons’ Den?
BBC One has now confirmed that Dragons’ Den will return in 2026 with a series 23. And there’ll be a new set of guest Dragons, too.
Gary Neville will return for another stint in the Den, alongside brand new guest Dragons Tinie Tempah, Jenna Meek, and Susie Ma.
Tinie Tempah is described as a “music mogul, rapper and entrepreneur”, while Jenna Meek is a “serial entrepreneur and REFY CEO”.
Lastly, Susie Ma is the “Tropic Skincare powerhouse”.
Every episode of Dragons’ Den series 23 will feature one of the four sitting alongside the resident Dragons. Heavyweights Peter Jones, Deborah Meaden, Touker Suleyman and Steven Bartlett will all return to the Den. Sara Davies’ replacement has not yet been confirmed, or perhaps her spot will be left free for guest Dragons.
Samantha Davies, Executive Producer, said: “Audiences love the powerful combination of our much-loved regular Dragons and the fresh energy guest Dragons bring to the Den. And, this series, we’re going bigger than ever. We’re thrilled to welcome back Gary, alongside three formidable new business titans, all ready to uncover the next generation of bold, brilliant and disruptive entrepreneurs.”
Out of the original line-up of Dragons – Peter Jones, Duncan Bannatyne, Theo Paphitis, Rachel Elnaugh, Doug Richard and Simon Woodroffe – only Peter remains.
If you’re looking for investment, head over to bbc.co.uk/dragonsden. Dragons’ Den will return to BBC One and BBC iPlayer in 2026.
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