65% of small to medium sized enterprise (SME) owners claimed that they would turn down a deal from one of the Dragons.

The Dragon’s Den flames have been put out by owner managed businesses, who do not believe that the deals put on the table by the quintet represent good value for money and would rather turn to alternative sources of finance. Peter, Duncan, Deborah, Theo and James are all out!
 
Just under 750 business owners took part in the research commissioned by software company, KashFlow. When it came to reasons why small business owners would accept an offer from the Dragon’s, 36% said it was for the experience they would bring to the company. A further 27% said they would accept in order to try and grow their company and 24% said they would only accept because of the positive public relations opportunities.
 
Speaking about the findings, Duane Jackson, Managing Director of KashFlow said, “When KashFlow was looking for private financial backing I would have never dreamt of going on television and giving away 50% of my company just for a bit of extra publicity and I think many business owners realise this after they have appeared and this is why so few deals complete following an offer on camera”.