"I Don't Want To Invest In The World's Most Expensive Beehive" | Dragons' Den

Industrial Designer Aidan Quinn and his business partner Gemma Rowe are seeking an investment of £75,000 in exchange for 15% of their business, Eco Hab Homes, but the Dragons think they've seen something like this before...
Season 9, Episode 8
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 #EcoHabHomes #Architecture

[@IAmTheJayster]

I like the negotiation at the end, you dont often see that on here, they usually just accept getting shafted

[@barsnack7999]

It's just a show except a few projects. "Series 9’s EcoHab Homes and O-Pod Buildings never saw any investment and have since ceased trading"

[@dac8939]

Older guy is smart.

[@calsmyth4483]

The offer he negotiated (30% for £37.5k) was significantly more expensive than the offer he originally received (£75k for 45%). It's hardly surprising why Theo jumped at it...

[@elastronaute1198]

Except they're not really 'shafted' - because the dragons have a lot of added value. They can transform a business, but it has to be worth their while, not so much for the monetary expense but the time expense. So that is why it seems like they want a lot of the business - they are not just passive investors.

[@Moon_Presence]

@@elastronaute1198 Um it is for the monetary expense. If they're not making money, and just wasting time, "helping" people. THEY AREN'T GOING TO DO IT. LITTLE DO YOU KNOW LOLLLLL

[@moniquevamado]

This two were amazing. Aiden is a smart man with incredible, quick thinking and negotiation skills. Love both their quiet confidence and humble way of being.

[@peterclarke7240]

Theo screwed them. 30% control for half the asking price. Aiden got what he wanted in the very short term, but that's it.

[@markshepperson3603]

I seemed to think Aidan’s revised offer was worse for him than Theo’s ’final’ one.

[@76-UVB]

Well done Aiden , he certainly turned that around with a bit of shrewd thinking.

[@peterclarke7240]

I'm not at all convinced he did. Or rather, he got some investment, but only half of what he asked for. The rest was a loan. He gave up 30% of his company in exchange for half of what he asked for. They went bust a year after this was filmed, according to others here.

[@Debthouse]

The negotiation at the end was an extremely impressive demonstration of Aidan's business acumen and I believe is what ultimately convinced Theo he was investing in a business with huge potential. I hope they are successful!

[@peterclarke7240]

Um... I don't think that's what happened at all. Aiden THOUGHT he was being clever, but Theo stitched him up.

[@calsmyth4483]

Really? You think dropping from 45% for £75k to 30% for £37.5k is "extremely impressive"!? 66% of the equity for 50% of the price?

[@peterclarke7240]

@@calsmyth4483 Exactly. He halved his offer, made the rest of it a loan, so he's pretty much guaranteed that back, and STILL got 30% of the shares. I think he saw this business for exactly what it turned out to be: Something that would make money in the short-term (long enough for Theo to get his loan back and increase the share value enough so he could sell them at a profit... Probably back to Aiden... but it wouldn't last more than a few years.

[@illuderebeliarh1260]

@@peterclarke7240 and it didnt. seems it flopped after 2 years.

[@Silver_Warden]

Wow, that negotiation at the end was really something.

[@barsnack7999]

It's just a show except a few projects. "Series 9’s EcoHab Homes and O-Pod Buildings never saw any investment and have since ceased trading".. ..

[@iLeon99]

Peter: *absolutely rips his business to shreds* Aiden: Appreciate that

[@jamesflames6987]

I think he meant "appreciate" in the sense that he understood Peter was declining to make an offer on the grounds of personal taste.

[@PhantomFelix211164]

Took it like a champ

[@KingKai133]

😂😂😂

[@hamza361]

Company went out of business in 2012. This was roughly a year after this was filmed. It was never going to sell that much.

[@moogleking]

Rip beehives

[@hiimjustin8826]

Too bad it was pre-Airbnb

[@ACE-700]

Prob the market share is too small

[@bogboy90210]

@Danni is Lazy better than a lot of properties I’ve viewed.

[@Alice-ui9oy]

That's a shame

[@jimmorrison8203]

Aiden did very well. Smart ol dude.

[@montelvontaviouspore]

RIP Hilary 🙏 you will be missed

[@free_gold4467]

Lovely Hilary, a very nice Dragon.

[@kpm25]

Always loved you Hillary!!! RIP 😢♥

[@ifwecouldvote]

She looking up at us right now and smiling. RIP 😿

[@TaelurAlexis]

Yesss I’ll forever love Ms. Hilary

[@Suzyfromtheblock]

Wow that’s sad

[@tom2676]

Duncan is thinking what we are all thinking

[@bluceree7312]

I remember this one. Quick wit indeed. One of the best negotiations. Alas, it was dissolved in 2012.

[@peterclarke7240]

Theo: gosh. Half the risk and 30% control in a company that'll be ok for a year or two, just long enough for me to get my money back and flog the shares before it collapses. Aiden: well, i think we did very well out of that.

[@jarednil69]

How on earth did they get that house in the Den?😄

[@deepzd6839]

Theo made the deal just to kiss Gemma.

[@LionMD99]

I love the creativity of the home designer, to break into the market for new homes is a high barrier to entry. The efficient business models are already in the market place and they provide satisfying results to home buyers.

[@Gamertag5714]

Peter always tells it how it is 😂👍

[@ellawro9417]

Possibly my favourite duo of all time on this show.

[@ruthsmith2367]

Gemma was brilliant. If I had a business I would want people like her working for me 😊

[@Barboron]

When I look at the larger one, it looks less like a beehive and more like something Spongebob is going to walk out of.

[@willowwren7752]

I would hav loved to have seen the inside along with the dragons

[@PhantomFilmAustralia]

Their egos didn't fit in such a small dwelling.

[@IAmTheJayster]

I agree with Peter that thing is an absolute eyesore, wouldn't think many would like that in their garden

[@paisley9782]

I think they actually would fit in well in a garden, they are quite rustic looking.

[@johnnyshami5318]

Gemma is a gem! Smart, elegant, and very pretty

[@turbochrist]

Indeed. I would easily give him 75k for 100% of her.

[@BenjaminGoose]

@@turbochrist Creepy

[@tomaszczapiewski3359]

@@BenjaminGoose It's called a joke.

[@haribokart]

@@tomaszczapiewski3359 Well yeah but jokes are meant to be funny.

[@Haywood-Jablomie]

@@haribokart Don't cry because of the joke , you'll rip out your gender reassignment stitches !!! Ignore the jokes and eat more soy, it's what your gender non binary psychiatrist recommended

[@TheLemonyOrange]

Got my wagamama order on the way, ive paused this to wait until its here and consume both at the same time haha

[@gtabro1337]

11:37 Peter positively amused just like the rest of us

[@b18crlxi]

Was hoping one of the dragons would have said they were "two peas in a pod" but it never happened

[@gamewithadam7235]

They look like Namekian dragon ball houses with bee hive skin unlocked.

[@liampugh4705]

One of the best business negotiations I've ever seen

[@calsmyth4483]

In what way? It seemed pretty awful to me. The huge number of people impressed by it is quite concerning - I hope none of you run businesses!

[@montelvontaviouspore]

They need to Beehave 🐝

[@bash547]

You need to buzz off 🐝

[@gamewithadam7235]

Oh beehive!

[@fourlamb1]

Oh Ben, you're such a joker!

[@drunkdunc8738]

Drone, drone…🍻

[@johnlighton7025]

Hillaries shoulder pads are cutting edge 86

[@INFINITY-oe4is]

Looks like the homes in Dragon Ball Z! The problem with this taking off is you can't stack domes to make it multi-level.

[@calsmyth4483]

Given that would likely require planning permission, and the selling point of these is that they don't need it, I don't think that's a major problem.

[@ambessashield9360]

I’m surprised that anyone want to live in that, especially with barely any windows

[@barsnack7999]

lame Series 9’s EcoHab Homes and O-Pod Buildings never saw any investment and have since ceased trading."

[@dollydiddums7889]

This is not enviro friendly ... Build your own on site using soil and sandbags , fit windows doors chimney and render with a variety of on site materials and finishes . Less transport less manufacturing energy etc 👍

[@mattdowney2711]

Shut up nobody cares if it’s environmentally friendly

[@turbochrist]

Everyone living in pods. What a brave new world. Hooray.

[@tamas5931]

Now that’s a proper team

[@KarrierBag]

EcoHab Homes company dissolved Sept 2012

[@jz5748]

i literally thought that was a beehive 😂 😂

[@DefyMG]

I thoroughly enjoyed this episode and the negotiations at the end. And she is absolutely beautiful.

[@gamewithadam7235]

Most expensive beehive. But it's the cheapest garden pod by 25%.

[@seangraham57]

Why do they not build round homes in parts of which ever Country that are prone to high winds or hurricane type storms.?

[@david9180]

Good luck to them both

[@bradleymilton9372]

Did he quote George Osborne LOL

[@getin3949]

I would buy one, I think they look really cool and different. I'd be the first one on MY block.

[@SharkShank]

RIP Hilary madam 🙏

[@yaboiavery5986]

R.I.P Hilary

[@kevindunlap5525]

I hope they did well, but I'd be shocked if they're in business.

[@Bluecollarkiel]

You know what Deborah will do by what Peter does I've been noticing

[@kevindunlap5525]

Gemma should be working full time in front of the camera.

[@theguardian308]

Theo was looking for a place for his children

[@shaunblackmore3780]

Reminds me of spongebobs pineapple house 😂

[@danielbriggs7110]

The alan sugar book in the beehive 😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅

[@malcolmclements9254]

Something out of the Flintstones.

[@keepitreal4046]

Guaranteed epic failure. This won’t go anywhere. Very dumb idea.

[@maoaomar4074]

Hilary is so lovely. Sad she’s not among us anymore.

[@andyb6120]

Nice one!

[@omomeosakue5635]

Good negotiation but a worse deal, at 75k for 45%, he valued the business at 166k. At 37.5k for 30% the value dropped to 125k. So not only is theo getting his money back faster, he is also paying less. Not a good deal at all Aidan

[@donramanayake1505]

True he dropped the valuation but he keeps a larger share of the business? So essentially he traded equity for value?

[@bobbyjones3351]

how many people since lockdown build back yard pubs, i see a greater market for this now for that reason

[@PhantomFilmAustralia]

The Dragons may not want to live so far below their means, however there are so many people who would happily live in a small dwelling who are saving their money during tough times. Councils could also benefit from the affordable housing for the homeless.

[@maverickstclare3756]

Except homelessness isn't about cost of building a building.

[@cekojuna6930]

They could but if there’s one I learned is many won’t. This predominant in the US where such things is frowned upon by the government depending on the state.

[@juliet7703]

​@@cekojuna6930 why is it frowned upon in the US?

[@thesocialtap]

How is that company doing?

[@M4nvrs]

Could that negotiation bee anymore interesting!

[@hiimjustin8826]

I feel like pre-AirBnB this is a totally different pitch. Too early :/

[@jamest3336]

straight up lie that this is in 1080p res

[@00Kuja00]

A designer once told me people will go insane if they live in a round room. Apparently we need corners to fix our gaze on. ^^*

[@itsmyparty4637]

00Kuja00 well then most of Africa must be insane, from living in round mud huts - my observation is though, than once they arrive in the cities and live in rooms with corners then they really go insane.

[@neonwired4978]

most of our ancestors lives in round houses

[@RockyDave]

Not enough corners to go round.

[@BenjaminGoose]

It sounds like that designer is a nutcase himself.

[@ifwecouldvote]

yes, i stare at my corners at least 2 hours per day. Thank god for corners or I'd be nuts.

[@SuperJohnkimani]

I’ve never had anyone say “it’s Theo we wanted” 🙂

[@AlanTuringWannabe]

What is this? A pod for ants?

[@dsgrbrowne1]

There is nothing inside it.

[@hugoschkiglitz]

I wonder how that company did

[@stevenphillips2738]

Apparently they went bust I'm only going on another comment I read

[@jasperpike242]

The sound is so consistently BAD. Must be the producers mate. Thats the BBC for you

[@iceala]

RIP Hillary

[@MarvelX42]

Hmm, this might be only the second good deal for both sides that I have ever seen on this show.

[@kahocheung935]

May have sold well post covid19.

[@harlen07]

That was great

[@C0D97]

Is the company dissolved?

[@KarrierBag]

yes in sept 2012

[@tamas5931]

Alan Sugar

[@michaelfield4701]

It's a shame Peter Jones is so rude to hopeful people

[@edwindsouza8816]

So for £37.5k Theo gets 30% of the profits...which will be roughly £30k...so a bad deal.

[@amilying2883]

Yeah but he gets it forever so obviously it will be more than 30

[@KingKai133]

That’s a niche, quirky little product, it will sell some but it’s not a business

[@EerieVonIII8574]

Jema is really cute!

[@aps-pictures9335]

Oof, not a great deal. Disincentivises the investor from putting effort in, massively reduces value of the business (50% of 15% is now a loan, 30% equity), and even if he does no work - quids in.

[@JonJon-dk3nh]

I miss Theo he was a G

[@ifwecouldvote]

RIP the foetus 👏

[@BenjaminGoose]

A thousand what?

[@JonJon-dk3nh]

@@BenjaminGoose Yeah so if you can leave the jokes to us. Thanks.

[@Scampi95]

@@ifwecouldvote hahahaha

[@godzillas6301]

ahhhhh the lovely Hilary ......

[@tkaygg]

How has nobody mentioned sponge bob square pants?🥴

[@noooname2568]

Welcome to the Shire

[@tamikagreen1119]

It looks like Spongebob's pineapple house.

[@janlassen6101]

The Beehive creation looks at least interesting and fun.... The Horrible thing behind them is a Design-crime against humanity.

[@TuanJinnNguyen]

I love these kinds of houses... Always want one

[@sanjanewmoonlife]

I'm next biggest deal inventor ,next Nikola Tesla 😁😁😁😁🌏🌎🌍🌍🌏

[@til9678]

hobbits and ferengis are the prime targets

[@GummyBearWA]

360° buildings aren't friendly to a 90° world.

[@Gaba-oo4qb]

That girl is cute

[@oneheadlight8000]

100,000!! ... We can 3D print homes in 12 hours that size out of the dirt / concrete surrounding them.. and all for less than 10k.

[@ShinChua]

kinda want a hobbits house

[@jasperpike242]

Bloody weird

[@lovejoy4559]

Telly tubby house

[@BenjaminGoose]

Time to find out which dragon has been unusually quiet today

[@jaylee3941]

All Dragons missed the crucial point. A lot of folks cannot afford deposits on a house or flat. These dwellings offer the ability to, for example, allow parents the ability to let thier grown up kids have independence until such time they can afford a place of their own.

[@daveymorgan909]

That would look great in the back yard. Peter is clueless haha

[@calsmyth4483]

If it's so great, why did they go bust? Peter didn't say "no one" would like it, he said he didn't think many would. Which evidently was the case. Who's the clueless one here?

[@daveymorgan909]

Apparently you are because your another negative person happy to see a good company fail. They had a great idea and I liked it.

[@V77710]

Depends I for one dont like it neither .. the idea is fine the look isnt

[@Firedancer100]

Ethereum 👍

[@joemama1691]

Sometimes or most of the time, the dragons are predatory and the deal is horrible. 45% lol that’s crazy

[@neilpa]

Looks like Jenny's out...

[@BenjaminGoose]

Yawn.

[@techtitanuk5609]

I like it