Dragon’s Den viewers go wild for entrepreneur with equation branded on his t-shirt
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Dragon’s Den viewers went wild last night after a businessman showed up at the studio wearing a T-shirt with an unusual equation marked on it.
David Hawcock, from Bath, was showing the dragons pop-up versions of classic games created from paper on the BBC1 show and asking £40,000 for 20 per cent of their company.
And while the paper engineer impressed four of the dragoons, accepting a joint offer from Peter Jones and Touker Suleyman, many who watched seemed distracted by his jersey.
And while some took to Twitter to speculate what the equation might be, which read: ‘1.d4 d5 2.c4’, others immediately recognized it as the opening of ‘The Queen’s Gambit’ chess move.
Dragon’s Den viewers went wild last night after Bath’s David Hawcock turned up at the studio wearing a T-shirt with an unusual equation marked on it.
Appearing on the show, David said: “I’ve been developing pop-up books, puzzles, all sorts of things, for a number of years.
‘I bring something quite unusual. I think people will be surprised how well it works.’
He walked into the den and said, ‘I’m David, and I’m the inventor of a completely unique product, the pop-up chess set.
‘The pop-up chess set can be opened or closed in any position. The unique design of the board makes it impossible to knock over any of the pieces.
Many who watched the show were intrigued by the shirt, before others revealed that it is the opening notation of the Queen’s Gambit chess move.
“The unique outlets make it the ideal travel game, but it also folds flat and is easy to store on a shelf at home.
It is made entirely of paper and cardboard. It’s not about plastic, it’s completely recyclable.’
After a brief moment of brain freeze, Deborah urged David to continue.
He continued: ‘I’m looking for £40,000 for 20 per cent of the shares in my company. I really want to stress that I’m not just going to make a popup chess set, but I’m also going to expand it into a lot of different areas, including this particular popup row of four.
The paper engineer used the notation for the Queen’s Gambit on his chest: the move bets a piece to try and gain a board advantage.
‘I would like to adapt many classic games for all ages. This is my pitch. You will find the pop up chess set in your box. I would love to answer questions.
Acknowledging his hesitation in tone, the businessman continued: ‘I feel like I was a little disappointed in that tone. But that’s nerves.
Sarah Davies, who has a craft empire behind her, was eager to get started, saying: ‘It’s really impressive. I see a lot of this in my industry, but not to this level.’
She said he was one of the world’s best craftsmen, and Peter Jones said his product was “exceptional.”
Deborah Meaden asked him what his current company’s turnover was, while Steven Bartlett questioned how compact the chess set actually was.
He said: ‘This is a great product, but we’re looking for big deals here.
“I’m not sure I’m very confident that you know how to turn this into a big deal.”
But David said he wouldn’t agree, saying: ‘If you’re developing new concepts and pushing them, that’s a business.
‘I’m nice enough, I can network. I definitely know the field.
Peter Jones said: ‘You said your core business brings in £200,000 a year, but I imagine that changes all the time. Would you consider putting it all in one company?
David said he agreed and would put the products together.
Peter told him: ‘I’m going to make you an offer. All the money for exactly what you asked for. I’d love for you to accept that now and we can move on.
“I think I can bring a lot of value to his business and we can grow the whole thing very, very quickly.”
Peter Jones was the first to praise David, saying he could add “a lot of value” and help his company grow very quickly.
Touker Suleyman was among the four Dragons who made the businessman an offer, saying he would match Peter.
Touker Suleyman also made him an offer, saying he would match Peter.
Meanwhile, Deborah said, ‘Listen to the other dragons, if you get this answer here, you’ll get this answer in a market.
‘I’m sitting here thinking, I would love to be a part of this. I’ll offer you £40,000 for 15 per cent.
And Sarah said, ‘I’m willing to offer you all the money just for this part of the deal. I will match Deborah.
However, Stephen decided not to invest, saying: ‘I can’t blame you for what you’ve created. I think you are a genius.
David said he was happy to accept a joint offer for Touker and Peter to help him grow his business.
‘The problem I have is trying to have a high degree of conviction of how this becomes a great business without having to do a lot of work.
‘I’m going to say I’m out.’
However, he continued to back the release of another dragon, adding, “I will say that I don’t think you should reveal your profession.”
“I think Sarah’s office is great, I think she’s the most qualified.”
The businessman had four offers to digest, with David saying, “Would anyone be willing to share?”
However, the dragons shook their heads.
David told them, ‘I’d like a transition between all the businesses, I’d like a timeline for that.’
Peter and Touker matched the offer, saying they would work together for 10 percent each of the business.