Two entrepreneurs who were branded 'delusional' by Touker Suleyman on Dragons' Den have since built their company into a £11 million success story. The founders of Omni, a vegan pet food brand, have proven the Dragon wrong after he dismissed their valuation as unrealistic.
Touker Suleyman Steps Down from Dragons' Den
Touker Suleyman announced his departure from the show after ten years, stating it had been 'an immense privilege' to meet passionate entrepreneurs and invest in businesses he believed in. However, his encounter with Omni founders Dr Guy Sandelowsky and Shiv Sivakumar was less supportive. When they sought £75,000 for a 1% stake in their company, Suleyman slammed them as 'delusional' and said he 'wouldn't even get out of bed for' that amount.
Omni's Remarkable Growth
Despite the harsh criticism, Omni has thrived. Founded in 2021, the brand focuses on lab-grown, calorie-controlled, and environmentally sustainable pet food. By 2025, the company was valued at £7.5 million, and soon after surged to £11 million. The founders have also partnered with Springwatch's Chris Packham. Reflecting on their Dragons' Den experience, Dr Guy noted that the Dragons focused on historical numbers rather than their rapid growth trajectory. 'We can make quite reasonable assumptions about what we're going to do in the coming months,' he said, adding that their run-rate based on revenue was 'not as crazy' as suggested.
Positive Reception and Future Plans
The exposure from the show generated overwhelming demand, forcing the small business to re-evaluate stock levels and customer service. 'We never imagined the demand that we're seeing now,' Dr Guy said, calling the response 'amazing.' He credited the audience for understanding their mission and giving their product a chance. Meanwhile, Touker Suleyman's departure leaves a vacant spot in the Den, with no confirmation yet on who will join Deborah Meaden, Peter Jones, and Steven Bartlett.
