Dragons’ Den contestant Paul Westerman secured a £50,000 cash injection during the show for his invention that aims to lessen the risk of airline passengers developing blood clots.
He appeared on the BBC programme on Thursday (March 3) to pitch his invention – the RBR Legflow – to the four dragons.
His pitch began as he told investors how he had “collapsed to the floor, dead” with an embolism in 2011, just days before his wedding.
That spurred him to create the device which allows people on aircraft – or sitting for long periods in care settings or while gaming – to increase the blood flow in their legs and lessen the risk of deep vein thrombosis (DVT).
His initial request was for £50,000 for a 15% share in his company.
Dragon Peter Jones said he had also suffered the same health problem and had ended up in hospital after a flight from Los Angeles.
He said the device was a good product although he likened it to a plastic bra.
It’s a deal for Paul, as @ToukerSuleyman invests in his DVT prevention device- we just love it when good things happen to good people! #dragonsdenpic.twitter.com/b6SU9GFIWT
— BBC Dragons’ Den (@BBCDragonsDen) March 3, 2022
However, Jones and three other Dragons did not want to invest in the product, which retails for £24.99 but costs £2.30 to produce.
Steven Bartlett thought people would not want to buy a device for a problem they didn’t know much about; Sara Davies thought it was too bulky for carrying on a plane – and didn’t like the fact there was no patent.
Deborah Meade also quizzed Westerman about the lack of a patent and thought that she had already seen a similar product on the market.
However, Touker Suleyman said he would be “willing to explore” more about the product and the clinical trials that have taken place.
He said he has contacts in the NHS and airlines – and offered to invest £50,000 in return for a 35% stake.
Westerman replied: “We want this product used and shown to people. I am more than happy with those terms and I would love to be working with you.”
Afterwards, he told the programme makers he was “emotionally shattered and exhilarated at the same time”.
“With Touker’s involvement, I really do believe it may fly, no pun intended. The next 18 months will be absolutely crazy but fantastic,” he said.
