Dragon flies solo with record deal to help business
DRAGONS’ Den investor Peter Jones made a record-breaking solo deal that will help a Cardiff-born businessman and his colleagues.
Nathan Evans, who went to the same school as Sam Warburton, Gareth Bale and Geraint Thomas, appeared on the hit show to ask for an investment in company BrandYourself.com.
A first of its kind in the UK, the business provides both software and service solutions to help individuals and businesses clean up, improve, and protect how they look online.
If you use the company, they will scan your entire online presence and look at any risk factors you might have, like risky social media posts and images or sharing too much private information.
They say they have worked with more than 700,000 people already and are hoping the BBC show will help to promote the business even further.
Nathan, and his CEO Patrick Ambron, managed to secure a deal of £100,000 for just a 2% stake from Peter Jones.
He valued the company at £5m, the highest valuation he has ever placed on a Dragons’ Den investment.
And the Dragon, who has invested more money than any other over the years, fought off three others to agree the deal.
He said: “The career landscape has changed and the way you look online now directly impacts your ability to get hired.
“Having a positive online presence is now as fundamental as updating your CV and combing your hair before an interview.
“Not only do I wholeheartedly believe this new technology is crucial to anyone seeking employment, but this business also struck a chord with me because of my commitment to helping young people reach their full potential regardless of their circumstances.
“Everyone should be able to protect and improve their reputation on the web.”
Following their success on last night’s show, Nathan said: “Appealing to the Dragons was about more than just the financial investment, they would be a strategic partner for us in the UK.”
Patrick said: “In today’s age of cyber-bullying, revenge porn, hate sites and inadequate online privacy laws, something negative online can happen to anyone and shouldn’t define you or prevent you from moving forward with your life.
“Equally, we believe you shouldn’t lose opportunities just because other people are better at promoting themselves on the web.
“Our mission is to help people take back their online reputation, giving them the tools to clean up, protect and improve how they appear.”