19 Year Old Entrepreneur Shocks Dragons With Their Pitch | Dragons' Den

Christian Lane is one of the youngest entrepreneurs to pitch in The Den. He's only 19 and made 10K from his previous business which he used to fund Foldio. Christian is seeking an investment of £80,000 in exchange for 15% but what will the Dragons' think of his negotiation tactics?
Season 4, Episode 4
An international sensation, Dragon's Den features entrepreneurs pitching for investment in the Den from our Dragons, five venture capitalists willing to invest their own money in exchange for equity.
#DragonsDen #Foldio #YoungEntrepreneur

[@gdog7391]

Probably the best panel on the group at any one time. All class.

[@Mr_Singh_FC]

Replace Debs with James Caan 👍🏽

[@gdog7391]

Pretty sure that’s Deborah is one of the OG’s. Also, my comment was more reflective of an actual group that has actually existed at once.

[@noonegirl]

What does OG mean?

[@_u4ia_]

@@noonegirl Original

[@MrAxelStone]

amazing how much more mellow and less dramatic the Dragon's Den is than Shark Tank...no over the top acting cringy presentations, dramatic music only at key moments...quite refreshing change from watching Shark Tank.

[@ExtraordinaryFate]

Shark Tank has much more enjoyable investors though. They add life to the show.

[@billymabum3514]

@@ExtraordinaryFate it’s scripted

[@bounmiibeagle7550]

I watched Cuban in action today in SS, shouting everyone down. It was a painful soap opera.

[@chatcool74]

@@billymabum3514 Not quite ! but some parts are cut yes, to fit the show.

[@12345ngb]

DD is much better than SS any day. SS Australia is the only one that I liked so far

[@NatalieCWilliams]

Impressive and humble young man. Wish him so much success in his venture and life overall!

[@johnnyw2593]

That’s a perfect pitch. Short, right to the point without bells and whistles. What a smart young man. So many entrepreneurs are over sold their product. Performing such theatrical pitch and some won’t stop talking. Often, I find that when people keep talking is because they afraid of being challenged by the other party.

[@TheEsotericProgrammer]

Thanks a lot! I really needed that today: I am smart, and I know that now.

[@randomtask9029]

Should have jumped to 25% with a view to settling at 30%. 35% was too much too quickly.

[@shmmazz]

Honestly cruel of the other dragons to back out before Theo made an offer. Gave him all the leverage to ask for a bigger percentage

[@nf6386]

A bit of a D move by Theo to signal enthusiastic interest and then pause without making an offer.

[@barobaro1]

You expected millionaires to be decent and considerate human beings???. . . I'm sorry but that's your own fault cuz they'll always disappoint you in that aspect.

[@scienceevolves4417]

@@nf6386 it's called "experience in business negotiations"

[@hotsizler305]

​@@barobaro1 Spoken like a bitter commie

[@showbitz1]

I love how they helped him. And I noticed how theo tested him by asking him about percentage

[@tommydenato8863]

No show makes me happier than Dragons Den. Seriously.

[@AliKhan-yx1dy]

Judge Judy 🤔

[@ExtraordinaryFate]

@@AliKhan-yx1dy It’s called opinions my guy.

[@tommydenato8863]

@@AliKhan-yx1dy Close 2nd haha

[@alirehman4858]

First time seeing any dragon refusing to share with Peter Jones and that too so blatantly.

[@jumble-1238]

Had a feeling Theo wouldn’t budge. I think the comments all the others gave about his experience caused his arrogance to rise even higher than usual.

[@bluerock9238]

They were investing in the person more than his product......

[@drnureini7538]

@@jumble-1238 i actually think if peter went direct on sharing the money with Theo, then Theo would have accepted it. But the fact that he tried to negotiate and give 5% back on top of that for no clear reason when the pitcher is happy with the percentage was the reason Theo rejected it. It's like saying young man Theo is stealing you so me and him will join and we will give you 5% back lol. That's why you can also see Theo took his time to explain why he prefers to be alone and you can hint the reasons are related to the fact that peter acting like negotiating a good deal for the pitcher. I don't usually see Peter going wrong in negotiations but this one he went wrong , he should have either offered a competitive offer or just shared the percentage without the unnecessary blabla

[@AbhishekSanyalTGV]

Peter back then was probably not the richest and most influential.

[@codeXenigma]

Just read an article about Christian Lane, he's done pretty well. Nice to find success stories

[@jessebella9322]

@@zlatkostevanovic5891 Ok if you are going to secondee me, I ill Crocodile Dundee you, how about that

[@marchumphreys3865]

@@jessebella9322 why not ?

[@jessebella9322]

@@marchumphreys3865 Why not what not

[@jessebella9322]

@@marchumphreys3865 Thats true

[@marchumphreys3865]

@@jessebella9322 well before you deleted your first comment you asked why ? , so yeah I replied and said why not ? Lol Have a great day.

[@ck5404]

excellent pitch, cool calm and collective, especially from a 19 year old.he will succeed

[@SECRETORDEROFTHEKNIGHTSTEMPLAR]

This was from10-12 years ago

[@carospinks]

Super smart, no b/s, loved how he said 35pct, see how Theo smiled and appreciated it. They will have a great working relationship. This was made a while ago and so I hope Christian is doing well under Theo’s mentorship.

[@TheEsotericProgrammer]

Thanks a lot for the compliment!

[@perryrush6563]

2:41 that is the sign of respect and appreciation

[@keltiquewood]

Duncan declaring himself out is NOT a bombshell!!!

[@butchcoolidge2445]

I'd agree with that. I do however think the bombshell was moreso him saying he didn't think it was a good product.

[@Junaid-vw6zg]

@@butchcoolidge2445 he also said he could be wrong straight after

[@butchcoolidge2445]

@@Junaid-vw6zg That's to save face in case it's a hit. They've been wrong before and missed out on big opportunities.

[@zainad3878]

Boy was so clever... He knew exactly what he was looking for

[@pamelamckenzie2685]

Fantastic young man, he will go far in life well done young man.

[@itscatiooo]

keep in mind that this episode is from 10+ years ago

[@Joe-Mama25]

Well I’m pretty sure his company is dissolved now so I wonder how he’s doing.

[@Romans8-9]

@@Joe-Mama25 He has another company.

[@ali-celebi]

Truly inspiring!

[@stenkjellin1046]

Patent: How to fold a paper.

[@2strokepower]

He was the best pitch going Theo didn’t even say anything bad and he usually does this the whole time

[@stonecold6521]

Peter should have gone for 25%. I thought that was fair.

[@dtz1000]

Undercutting another dragon would be too damaging to his ego.

[@stonecold6521]

@@dtz1000 I get that. That's why they very rarely undercut. It's just Theo is an expert in this area. I think 25% is fairly reasonable considering the intitial offer.

[@davidhuckett5615]

​ 1

[@ianoliver7271]

Well done, laddie, a great performance!!

[@BigBundy82]

I truly think valuing the business at 230k and investing 80k for 35% is quite fair for both parties…Theo is lucky to have such a savvy , up and coming business magnate- And the young guy is extremely lucky to have Theo onboard.. Awesome 😎

[@alexcalhoun1382]

Bro this is 17 years old lol

[@coldestbeer]

This was 20 years ago & i still see students from architecture carrying those black mega folders over this.

[@Romans8-9]

@@coldestbeer His company dissolved because of cloud storage and tablets. He started a company that focuses on smart kitchen products which is apparently doing quite well.

[@jaywalkercrew4446]

Obviously this teenager has had guidance by an elder. Take nothing away from the guy. Amazing achievements at such a young age.

[@forhimbyher2689]

Yes but also not always. I have a similar story. Started from nothing , no parents

[@Dadaadad268]

@@forhimbyher2689😅

[@derekogilvie6942]

Absolutely fantastic

[@DeusExWhyZed]

Peter was right to put that out there.

[@cannibalfish2429]

Good for him, he’s going places

[@leighpowley8410]

Goodness gracious! What a fantastic turn of events! 🤩💖🤩

[@erepsekahs]

A VERY bright young man. He and Theo are fortunate to have met each other.

[@aaronhurst4379]

Apparently this guy is now CEO of smart home appliance company Smarter

[@TuanJinnNguyen]

My lord, what a bright, incredible young man!

[@LV2UJC-FM]

Impressive, to say the least. The adults going into the Dragons Den should be taking notes about the way this 19-year-old conducted himself with his mannerism and pitch to the Dragons, and learn how you can make a deal.

[@TheMusicalElitist]

He’s now the CEO of a company called Smarter that produces smart kitchen gadgets.

[@djstrudy6053]

Why can I go through hours of watching these🤣

[@WellOilBeefHooked]

I know nothing about carrying these things but what struck me was that it could possibly do with a tube of foam along the fold to prevent accidental creasing.

[@getin3949]

It's probably made of something fairly stiff but since we didn't really get to see it or test it, I agree with you.

[@uriituw]

“…with _their_ pitch?” With _his_ pitch!

[@jedross2136]

I thought I was getting a bout of tinnitus but thankfully it was just the sound of all the bees in your bonnet.

[@thehop639]

15% to 35% clever boy but that was a silly move.... could have easily kept hold of 10% there!

[@cuilcaghboardwalk5585]

Totally agree. Theo couldn’t believe his luck. His whole lifetime ideas for 35%.! Also he had invested 18mnths and £10,000 in the business. Theo got a bargain

[@Wuhlz]

Bottom line, Christian should have went to 25% and it would have been countered at 30%, he gave up 5% more than he needed to. Peter was simply trying to "correct" Christians mistake of offering 35%. Totally understandable on Christians part though being 19.

[@edwardsnowden7717]

Peters face was a picture at the end lol!

[@alonelywitch4042]

It’s so funny to me to go from Dragons Den to Shark Tank. ST just *oozes* America😂😂

[@peteperry5712]

What a star!

[@thechanneloffun3760]

Theo has finally found his long lost son

[@stellajoseph3383]

He is very impressive

[@MrsAsam2006]

Fair play Peter

[@RebinQaderi]

The dirty look Theo gave Peter That blew me away😂

[@maszimz]

Wonder if it was re branded or if folio is a different brand.

[@murilogoulart4935]

Brilliant, Christian and Theo can be a perfect combination. Greetings from Danmark 🤜 🇩🇰 🤛

[@seanjosephhayes]

Why wouldn’t people use the cylindrical tubes over these folders? Yes there isn’t a sharp, folded crease but when he demonstrates the folder you can see a slight bend/crease in the paper in the middle which doesn’t happen with the cylindrical tubes and the paper can be then rolled up the opposite way to undo any curling? 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@mmckenzie8085]

I think because Theo was a hero of his it affected his negotiating skills. He jumped straight to 35% not really giving himself an out. If Theo had refused and not counter offered he still could have accepted. However glad to hear he is successful and yes Theo was the man for the job to fast track this. I still get the impression with this young man he would have made it anyway, it would have just taken longer.

[@frankie3778]

... sooo he reinvented the folder... gratz. flat, bent, folded, creased, i use them synonymously xD.

[@blackchalksounds5278]

But Theo owns him now. All his future inventions are now with theo and his kids.

[@sambou6286]

to secure the inheritance ........😁😁

[@Romans8-9]

No they aren´t. His first company dissolved.

[@chriscurran7756]

When u don't have enough dips for your domino's....

[@prizma45]

you have to be born tall, jbw, iq to have the early bird start and major competitive edge all down to luck

[@harrisonsbookheaven835]

Duncan drops a bombshell…lol

[@ivanriverooo]

Love this show everyday more. First comment 🥇 yeah! 👏

[@mhondapineda1265]

if you noticed he really wanted Theo by handling over sample first

[@b-dogs1038]

He only had eyes for Theo. & good on Theo for sticking to his guns @ 35%.

[@mickharrison9004]

Just looking at the fella tells you he's a winner ,and will succeed .

[@gerardford9706]

Listen up MickTheDick, in this life you're either a smart fella or a fart smella

[@pinayinuk]

Great

[@jamesmcintyre1675]

The dragons probably discussed this pitch beforehand that Theo maybe best dragon to get his stationary invention off of the ground.

[@STEVELILLEY011117]

Company status Dissolved

[@Terranova339]

Thank god for peter for jumping in, and making greedy Theo squirm in his chair

[@XO43137]

He could've offered 30%, not 35%.

[@SRPC21]

Please put these old/new series on Britbox !

[@anubusx]

Jenny: Scissors beats paper. I'm out.

[@anchorsound2]

hahaha! 😂 Classic Jenny!

[@RockyDave]

Blunt.

[@christophersmith49]

Well there was not really any 'export". Just import. Buying from China cheap and sell for more domestic.

[@theautomotivecompany1142]

Well done!

[@jiwachhetri4165]

Export his money to import goods

[@RomanianPeter]

Duncan pure jealosy 😂😂😂

[@livingwithosteoarthritis.]

I never really watched it back then. It seems more more business like more scary like a dragons den should be

[@veganvixenhelen]

I think that the Dragons have a secret code to tell each other what their intentions are. A sign for 'this is mine' or 'I'll go halves with you.' What do you think?

[@patricktate4782]

RIP Chris Kaba

[@mattwriggt4503]

" but Duncan bannatyne" that phrase is always followed usually by some downfall lol

[@illuderebeliarh1260]

And this, people, is how Theo the Phoetus became a millionaire. 😂

[@karimamadiaswad3413]

Uploader, the word you're looking for is 'his'.

[@jf1341]

Peter almost torpedoed it

[@00Kuja00]

Impressive, he would be around my age now I think.

[@sebastiangranlund1357]

It depends if you were the same age this year he pitched ;)

[@00Kuja00]

@@sebastiangranlund1357 I was 20 when it aired.

[@CheekyFest]

Incorporated on 3 November 2006 / dissolved 8 September 2015

[@Conannnnn]

Impressive young lad. How is he doing now?

[@zaidahmed9527]

@Lee Claxton CEO of Smarter, smart kitchen appliances company generating £mm revenues

[@barsnack7999]

Selling 50$ wifi kettles for 129 pound

[@zaidahmed9527]

@@barsnack7999 lol yes wouldn't say its a company I'd use 😂

[@patricktate4782]

Batty boy

[@martincarr7486]

The title says their, it should be his

[@Marjopolo302]

Big future for that young lad... Not sure about the folder ..

[@Misty_Mountains1]

Theo ripped him off blindly

[@tashinatorgaming9674]

RIP Staples. Atleast the branch where i am. I think the company is still going strong. Also, since when do Dragons care about experience in the field?! Isn't this all about money...?

[@Paaraadox]

The experience part is basically this: Theo has immense competence in this field, meaning essentially any competitive offer some other Dragon could put forward wouldn't be worth it for them, because Theo would still be a preferred investor, even at let's say double the price. Now, if Theo chooses *not* to invest, that essentially means he doesn't see potential in the product, in a field where has lots of knowledge. So some other Dragon thinking "hey, this is a good product" now sees the most knowledgable person in the room not wanting anything to do with it. So why would someone who has *less* knowledge think to know better than him?

[@tgchikukwa6947]

Theo owns stationery chain Ryman and Robert Dyas.

[@ricketymortmort]

Unintentional ASMR

[@Hutchyy]

That must have hurt Peter's ego lol

[@drunkdunc8738]

Christian was in a bind until Theo stepped up to the crease with some folding stuff 🍻

[@BenjaminGoose]

I don't think he was in a bind

[@omipower9389]

Our man be dropshopping but calling it import/Export from mainland china

[@Dadaadad268]

Before 'drop shipping'

[@imanishay]

What i really like about dragons den is when dragons know theres another dragon better suited they say that and declare themselves out rather than tryin to be greedy themselves they know whats best for the new entrepreneurs

[@SpinradN]

Back to the analog era, now all you need is usb flash drive.

[@mtd4577]

He gave Theo the product first before others... That's the signal

[@crewrangergaming9582]

Say what you want Dragon's Den is always better to me than Shark Tank.. love the dark.. serious tone of this than its sister shows.

[@hugoschkiglitz]

Peter, ouch.

[@shaunohagan1491]

Their pitch? more than one?

[@samdam108]

I think it’s meant to say they’re pitch? No wait, there pitch. Your welcome 😉

[@benreeves6104]

It's their own pitch, go back to school

[@ethancampbell314]

I feel like this one was more an investment in Christian himself more than the product

[@pabbaditya]

This is just a binder.

[@ruperttristanblythe7512]

Just roll it and put it in a tube

[@flockofwolves]

Apparently this guy works in McDonald’s now. Real name Ronald.

[@thesubinejelly8764]

His*

[@peterdooley667]

The robbing dragons cartel set it up for Theo

[@thewhitelawfamily]

He is young and to offer him all future creations/inventions was not a good idea.

[@TechGamesAU]

Why does it look like 200 pixels of resolution

[@stuartcommon4651]

Because you're watching on a Nokia 3310

[@seanjosephhayes]

Because it was broadcast around 16 years ago apparently. Before the time of such good picture quality we have these days. Probably before the time of even 720p or 1080p.

[@italgong]

his pitch

[@andrewwilliams7501]

His pitch