Two entrepreneurs who turned down an offer to sell their photo framing business on Dragons’ Den have raised the money they needed from the public within 24 hours of appearing on the BBC business talent show.
Camden-based Jake Hayman, 32, and Joe Kenyon, 28, appeared on the programme last Sunday seeking a £60,000 investment in return for a 20 per cent stake in Frame Again.
The company, launched six months ago, allows people to email a picture taken on their phone and receive a print in a customised frame the next day.
The idea came to Mr Kenyon at a wedding where he wanted to send the happy couple a photo he had taken but could not find a frame he liked or a speedy service on the high street or online.
Millionaire businessman Peter Jones offered the pair jobs at his photo chain Jessops if they would sell him the company, but they turned him down and vowed to build it up themselves.
They have subsequently raised £30,000 from investors on crowdfunding platform Seedrs and celebrated by promoting Frame Again outside a branch of Jessops.
Mr Hayman said: “We have no regrets about turning down Peter Jones. We needed money for the marketing budget and we’ve got it as well as getting free marketing by going on the show. Peter is going to have to add a few more zeroes if he wants to buy us out.”
