As a selection of entrepreneurial hopefuls take part on BBC\u2019s Dragons\u2019 Den for its 21st series, there\u2019s a special group of people they need to impress. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Dragons\u2019 Den cast is made up of successful investors from a range of industries. The current series, which runs until 17 April 2025, includes some long-time favourites as well as some guest judges. But who are they and how did they make their fortunes?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Industry: <\/strong>Telecoms and technology<\/p>\n\n\n\n Estimated worth:<\/strong> \u00a3500 million<\/p>\n\n\n\n Total invested:<\/strong> \u00a37 million<\/p>\n\n\n\n Peter Jones<\/a> is the longest-serving Dragon and known for his work shaping the next generation of entrepreneurs.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n His journey to business success started at age 16 when he qualified as a tennis coach and launched his own tennis academy. <\/p>\n\n\n\n In his 20s, he ran a range of businesses to varying degrees of success. Jones then took a step away from running his own businesses to join a large corporate company. <\/p>\n\n\n\n In 1998, he founded a telecoms company which went on to earn \u00a344 million in its second year of trading. He\u2019s since moved into investment, with a portfolio of over 100 companies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Industry: <\/strong>Leisure and retail<\/p>\n\n\n\n Estimated worth: <\/strong>\u00a340 million<\/p>\n\n\n\n Total invested:<\/strong> \u00a36 million<\/p>\n\n\n\n Deborah Meaden is one of the best-known Dragons and has been a fixture in the Den since series three. She launched her first business aged just 19, selling imported glass and ceramics to upmarket department stores.<\/p>\n\n\n\n She later took up a position in her family amusement arcade business and its holiday park arm, Weststar Holidays, working her way up from the shop floor to Managing Director. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Meaden sold the company to an equity firm in 2005 for \u00a333 million, keeping a 23 per cent stake and an active role in the business. Weststar Holidays was subsequently sold to Parkdean Holidays for \u00a383 million in 2007, at which point she exited the business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Since then, she\u2019s managed a portfolio of over 15 investments<\/a>. Her business interests range from sustainable clothing to Christmas decorations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Read more:<\/strong> What does CEO stand for? A small business guide<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Industry: <\/strong>Technology and media<\/p>\n\n\n\n Estimated worth: <\/strong>\u00a370 million<\/p>\n\n\n\n Total invested:<\/strong> \u00a33 million<\/p>\n\n\n\n The youngest Dragon, aged 32, Steven Bartlett<\/a> burst onto the scene a few years ago as an entrepreneur, speaker, and author.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n Best-known for his successful business podcast<\/a>, Diary of a CEO, Bartlett became a Dragon in 2021 for series 19.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Bartlett\u2019s rise to becoming an entrepreneur is well-documented. He dropped out of university aged 18 to start working on his first business idea. In 2013, he founded Wallpark \u2013 an online message board for students to connect.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Since then, he\u2019s launched and run a range of businesses from marketing agencies to software products. He\u2019s also invested in high-profile businesses such as Huel and Zoe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Industry: <\/strong>Arts and crafts<\/p>\n\n\n\n Estimated worth: <\/strong>\u00a337 million<\/p>\n\n\n\n Total invested:<\/strong> \u00a32 million<\/p>\n\n\n\nDeborah Meaden<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Steven Bartlett<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Sara Davies<\/h3>\n\n\n\n