Dragons' Den Season 23: Meet the Fiery Guest Dragons!

I couldn’t love the programme more. Everyone in front of the camera and behind it made me feel so welcome. Walking out of the tunnel at Old Trafford as a Manchester United player was a thrilling feeling and this was an experience that came close to that feeling. — Gary Neville Dragons’ Den is back! The BBC’s long-running hit returns for its 23rd series, with heavyweight investors Peter Jones, Deborah Meaden, Touker Suleyman, and Steven Bartlett all back in the Den to strike deals and uncover the next big idea. Joining them this season is footballing icon and entrepreneur Gary Neville, alongside an exciting line-up of guest Dragons: music mogul and rapper Tinie Tempah, REFY CEO and serial entrepreneur Jenna Meek, and Tropic Skincare powerhouse Susie Ma. This formidable new cohort of business elites is set to strike fear into the hearts of a fresh wave of entrepreneurs as they appear throughout the series. Every episode will feature one of the four sitting alongside the resident Dragons; Peter Jones, Deborah Meaden, Touker Suleyman and Steven Bartlett, injecting excitement and fresh new intakes into the world of business for audiences. Dragons’ Den returns to BBC One and iPlayer on Thursday 29th January at 8pm. Watch Dragons' Den on iPlayer and add to your Watchlist MJ Jenna Meek What attracted you to become a guest Dragon on the new series of Dragons' Den? When I was little, I always used to watch Dragons’ Den with my dad and always aspired to be on the show as an entrepreneur, so to be here as a Dragon is surreal. When it comes to the types of businesses I’m interested in, I’m less focused on specific sectors and more drawn to founders who are genuinely reshaping their industries. I love seeing entrepreneurs innovating, challenging norms and reshaping within their space - that really excites and inspires me! What kind of Dragon can we expect to see? I think I’m quite a funny Dragon! I definitely found myself sticking up for the entrepreneurs and even telling the other Dragons off a few times. I really resonated with the people standing in front of us because I was in their position almost eight years ago. I was empathetic towards the entrepreneurs and much more competitive with my fellow Dragons. I was still very much a Dragon, just maybe a tougher one on the panel than on the entrepreneurs! It surprised me how protective I felt over them, but it felt very true to who I am. Was there anything that surprised you about the experience of being in the Den? I always said I was going to be myself and trust whatever happens and I kept that same mindset when I was sat on the panel. What was surprising for me was how real and intense the environment was. I think I underestimated how daunting it was for the entrepreneurs to come into the Den, pitch their business that they have worked tirelessly to build all whilst being on national television. I felt a lot of empathy for that and made me want to champion them even more! The process itself also surprised me. It is exactly how you see it on TV, just a shorter version. You get no prior knowledge of the businesses; you get a quick look at the product on the table and as soon as the cameras start rolling, the entrepreneur walks in, the decisions we had to make were genuinely huge. I think that’s what struck me the most: just how authentic, unfiltered and real the whole experience truly is. Did you go into the Den thinking you were looking for a certain type of business/brand/individual? What do you look for in a potential investment and is the individual entrepreneur as important as the business / brand? When I went into the Den, I wasn’t looking for a specific type of business or sector, I was looking for passionate, obsessed people who truly believed in what they were creating. I wanted to see that drive, that spark, and that sense of purpose behind their idea. What do you think makes the perfect pitch? For me, the perfect pitch is all about passion and purpose. I want to see an entrepreneur who is genuinely obsessed with what they’re creating, someone who not only believes in their product but deeply understands the mission and the “why” behind it. When a founder can clearly articulate their purpose, their vision, and the problem they’re solving, beyond just the item they’re selling, that’s when I sit up and think, Wow. This is something I want to be part of. This is someone I want to build with. Did you have any secret strategies up your sleeve to secure the best investment opportunities over the other Dragons? Honestly, no, I didn’t have any secret strategies. I went into the whole experience determined to be myself and to trust the process. I’m a big believer that what’s meant to be will be. Gary Neville What attracted you to return as a guest Dragon on the new series of Dragons' Den? I couldn’t love the programme more. Everyone in front of the camera and behind it made me feel so welcome. Walking out of the tunnel at Old Trafford as a Manchester United player was a thrilling feeling and this was an experience that came close to that feeling. What kind of Dragon can we expect to see this series? A different approach or more of the same? Definitely more of the same although having been a guest Dragon before I’ve got more of a bite this time and you’ll see that come through. Did you go back into the Den thinking you were looking for a certain type of business/brand/individual? I have to like the product and the people, then you’re looking at the opportunity. The location of the business is important to me but it’s probably the one thing you compromise on if you like the people and the product so much. What do you look for in a potential investment and is the individual entrepreneur as important as the business / brand? I like to work with people. To me they’re the most important part of any business, so I'm always going to look for a great entrepreneur and if they’ve got something that I believe in alongside believing in them, then they’ve got a great chance. Susie Ma What attracted you to become a guest Dragon on the new series of Dragons’ Den? Are there other industries or sectors of interest to you? I’ve loved Dragons’ Den for years, to become a Dragon off the back of what I’ve built with Tropic was a real pinch-me moment. The show has always stood for belief - backing people with ideas, courage and ambition, and that really resonates with me. It felt like a rare opportunity to give back to the entrepreneurial community in a very tangible way. Beauty will always be my first love, but food is the industry that excites me most beyond that. I’m a huge foodie, and I’m endlessly inspired by founders who take something simple and turn it into a brand that people genuinely fall in love with. What kind of Dragon can we expect to see? I’m a nurturing Dragon - but make no mistake, I’m also commercially sharp. I care deeply about people, and I want every entrepreneur who walks into the Den to leave stronger than when they arrived, whether that’s through investment, insight or honest advice they can build on. That didn’t surprise me at all. It’s exactly how I show up in my own business every day. I believe you can be kind and ambitious, empathetic and decisive - the two aren’t mutually exclusive. Was there anything that surprised you about the experience of being in the Den? The sheer intensity. It gave me even more admiration for the entrepreneurs - it takes serious confidence and resilience to stay focused under that level of pressure. I was also filming while my daughter was just six months old, so sleep wasn’t exactly abundant. But that’s modern working motherhood. I’m proud to show that it’s possible to build, lead and show up - even when life is full and messy and demanding. Did you go into the Den looking for a particular type of business or individual? I went in open-minded and curious. I wanted to be surprised. That said, I naturally connect with founders who are driven by purpose - people who care about impact, not just exits. When someone has a clear why, it shows in every part of their business. What do you look for in a potential investment, and how important is the individual entrepreneur? For me, the entrepreneur is everything. Businesses can evolve, brands can be refined - but mindset, values and energy are far harder to change. A great investment is a true partnership, and that only works when there’s genuine alignment and mutual respect from day one. What do you think makes the perfect pitch? Confidence without ego. Clear numbers. Proof that the idea has been tested in the real world. And a sense of purpose that goes beyond just making money. The best pitches feel authentic - you can tell when someone really knows their business and believes in it. Did you have any secret strategies to secure the best investment opportunities over the other Dragons? No tactics, no theatrics. I trust my instincts. After more than 20 years in business, I’ve learned that when your gut, your experience and the data all line up - you should listen. Tinie Tempah What attracted you to become a guest Dragon on the new series of Dragons’ Den? Are there other industries or sectors of interest to you? I’ve been a fan of the show and the Dragons for over a decade. I’ve been entrepreneurial from the start of my music career and began angel investing around 2016. When I was asked to be a guest Dragon, I simply couldn’t refuse. Outside of music and entertainment, I’m interested in technology, health, food & beverage and crypto/Web3. What kind of Dragon can we expect to see? The experience itself was a surprise. I’d say I’m a shrewd but empathetic Dragon. I tend to get more excited by young founders and entrepreneurs, as it reminds me of myself starting out in the music industry at a very young age. I’m mainly interested in businesses where I can add significant value beyond capital. If I can’t, or I have no interest in the sector, I won’t waste my time or theirs. Did you go into the Den looking for a particular type of business or individual? I’m hoping to find a young founder with a disruptive tech solution for the music industry, particularly around distribution or marketing, or a Gen Z / Gen Alpha–focused consumer brand. What do you look for in a potential investment, and how important is the individual entrepreneur? I look for healthy annual recurring revenue, and an idea or service that is progressive, creates access, and lowers barriers to entry. The entrepreneur is crucial — I look for charisma, resilience, and someone who has been strategic enough to put together a strong team. What do you think makes the perfect pitch? One that clearly displays the character and energy of the brand or entrepreneur, while also being on point when it comes to numbers, books, and projections. Did you have any secret strategies to secure the best investment opportunities over the other Dragons? I like to nurture relationships with entrepreneurs and connect them with other founders or people who can help their business grow. This usually positions me well for strong investment opportunities. I also leverage my profile and broad network to make deals more favourable. Follow for more Latest from the Media Centre All news