Choppity's Pioneering Presentation Impressed Dragons
Deal News | Jan 17, 2025 | Business Cloud
Choppity, a Durham-based tech firm known for its AI-driven video editing product, became a focal point on Dragons’ Den with three Dragons vying to invest. Founders Zara Paul and Aaron Morris initially proposed a 6% equity for a 100,000 investment, notably catching the eye of Peter Jones, who praised their presentation as the best he'd seen on the show and offered the full sum in exchange for a 15% stake. Dragons Sara Davies and Touker Suleyman also showed strong interest. Ultimately, Jones adjusted his demand to a 12.5% stake, and the founders accepted. However, post-show developments led to the decision not to proceed with the investment. The experience was highlighted by poignant reflections from Zara Paul, a non-binary entrepreneur. Despite not receiving an offer, Dragon Steven Bartlett noted market saturation and potential competition from industry giants like Photoshop and Adobe as considerations. The event underscored Choppity's strong market potential and the vibrant, competitive nature of tech investments.
Sectors
- Technology
- Media and Entertainment
- Investment
Geography
- United Kingdom – Choppity is based in Durham, UK. The interactions and investment negotiations occurred in the context of the UK television program, Dragons' Den.
Industry
- Technology – Choppity operates in the technology sector with a focus on AI-powered video editing, making it a key innovator in digital media technology.
- Media and Entertainment – Choppity's product has applications within the media and entertainment industry, particularly in video content creation and editing.
- Investment – The article details investment activities within a television context, reflecting market interest and valuation discussions among potential investors.
Financials
- 100,000 – The initial investment amount sought by Choppity for a 6% stake.
- 12.5% – The equity stake agreed upon by Peter Jones and Choppity, which was originally 15%.
Participants
| Name | Role | Type | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Choppity | Target Company | Company | A Durham-based tech company specializing in AI-powered video editing technology. |
| Zara Paul and Aaron Morris | Founders | People | Founders of Choppity who presented their company on Dragons’ Den seeking investment. |
| Peter Jones | Investor | Person | A Dragon on Dragons' Den who offered an investment to Choppity for a share in the company. |
| Sara Davies | Investor | Person | A Dragon on Dragons' Den who offered an investment but wasn't ultimately chosen. |
| Touker Suleyman | Investor | Person | A Dragon on Dragons' Den who offered an investment to Choppity. |
| Steven Bartlett | Potential Investor | Person | A Dragon on Dragons' Den who did not make an offer due to market considerations. |