{"id":80135,"date":"2025-10-15T14:01:10","date_gmt":"2025-10-15T14:01:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/80135\/"},"modified":"2025-10-15T14:01:10","modified_gmt":"2025-10-15T14:01:10","slug":"dragons-den-bosses-chased-entrepreneur-for-two-years-before-he-agreed-to-go-on-the-show-then-won-200000-deal","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/80135\/","title":{"rendered":"Dragons’ Den bosses chased entrepreneur for two years before he agreed to go on the show – then won \u00a3200,000 deal"},"content":{"rendered":"

By ELIZABETH HAIGH, SENIOR NEWS REPORTER<\/a> <\/a> <\/p>\n

Published: 06:05 EDT, 15 October 2025 | Updated: 06:34 EDT, 15 October 2025 <\/p>\n

Dragons’ Den<\/a> bosses\u00a0pursued an entrepreneur for two years to before he agreed to go on the show – only to secure a \u00a3200,000 investment.<\/p>\n

Businessman Phil Osband said he received multiple calls from producers asking him to go on the show before he agreed.<\/p>\n

Mr Osband, 40, successfully pitched his shoe care brand Boot Banana, a product shaped like the fruit that aims to combat smelly feet, to Dragons Steve Jones and Steven Bartlett<\/a> on the October 2 episode.<\/p>\n

But it has since emerged that he did not have to apply to be on the show as staff reached out to him repeatedly from 2022 onwards.<\/p>\n

The former climbing instructor said: ‘I was chased for a couple of years to appear on the show and the timing was not quite right until last summer.<\/p>\n

‘Our products are in outdoor retailers and rock climbing centres and I think there is a crossover between rock climbing and the creative industries, so perhaps they found out about the business that way.’<\/p>\n

Mr Osband invented the banana-shaped deodoriser made with odour-neutralising salts, minerals and botanicals, originally to insert into rock climbing shoes.<\/p>\n

The businessman has since expanded his product range to include banana-shaped footwear driers and nail and skin files.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"Businessman <\/p>\n

Businessman Phil Osband, 40, said he received multiple calls from producers asking him to go on Dragons’ Den before he agreed<\/p>\n

\"Mr <\/p>\n

Mr Osband invented the banana-shaped deodoriser made with odour-neutralising salts, minerals and botanicals to insert into rock climbing shoes<\/p>\n

\"successfully <\/p>\n

successfully pitched his shoe care brand Boot Banana, a product shaped like the fruit that aims to combat smelly feet, to Dragons Steve Jones and Steven Bartlett on the October 2 episode<\/p>\n

He said he was ‘terrified’ about appearing in front of the Dragons as he dislikes public speaking.<\/p>\n

But he was ‘blown away’ to receive their backing, which he hopes will transform the business he co-founded with his wife Alex in 2012.<\/p>\n

Mr Osband, from Bournemouth, Dorset, said: ‘Before you go on to pitch you have no idea how it will go.<\/p>\n

‘I don’t like public speaking so I was terrified but I was blown away to get the Dragons’ backing.<\/p>\n

‘Appearing on the show is an amazing platform which will give the business a lot of momentum.’<\/p>\n

A BBC spokesperson said that producers approach entrepreneurs as well as seek applications for the show, which has run for 20 years.<\/p>\n

The Dragons’ Den application webpage states: ‘As part of normal selection process we may approach entrepreneurs, or they may apply direct.<\/p>\n

‘In each case all applications are processed in the same way.<\/p>\n

\"The <\/p>\n

The former climbing instructor said he was first asked to appear on the show around two years before it was filmed<\/p>\n

‘To be considered, all candidates need to submit an application form and these are then subject to the same casting criteria.<\/p>\n

‘Unfortunately, due to the high number of applicants, only those people who are shortlisted will be contacted.<\/p>\n

‘However, we do consider all applications carefully.<\/p>\n

‘Once shortlisted for consideration applicants will enter due diligence, but ultimately the final selection for participation will be decided on a number of factors and the producers decision is final.’<\/p>\n

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\n Dragons’ Den bosses chased entrepreneur for two years before he agreed to go on the show – then won \u00a3200,000 deal<\/p>\n