“Dragons’ Den Shocker: How Two 30-Year-Olds Turned Lab-Grown Diamonds into a Multi-Million Pound Empire!”

“Dragons’ Den Shocker: How Two 30-Year-Olds Turned Lab-Grown Diamonds into a Multi-Million Pound Empire!”

Every so often on Dragons’ Den, you see a business pitch and think, “Have they even prepared?” You know, those founders who seem like they came in without knowing their numbers or having any evidence to back up their claims. Total facepalm moment! But, the founders of Kimaï, a lab-created diamond jewellery retailer, made sure they weren’t going to be one of those businesses. Jessica Warch, the co-founder, spilled the beans that they watched old episodes, noted questions, and even memorized vital numbers. Talk about doing their homework!

And oh boy, did it pay off! The latest episode on BBC One was a real triumph for Jessica and her co-founder Sidney Neuhaus. They wowed the investors with their shiny lab-grown diamonds and a juicy annual revenue forecast of £5 million. That’s right, £5 million! 

If you caught the episode, you’d remember Dragons’ Den star Deborah Meaden gushing over a ring she tried on. The narrator summed it up perfectly: “Bling without the ethical, or environmental baggage is the offering.” 

Now, here’s the fun part, Jessica and Sidney, both 30, grew up in Antwerp, the heart of the diamond trade. It’s like destiny, right? They received offers from Meaden and Sara Davies but decided to team up with Steven Bartlett for his digital marketing wizardry. 

In a sweet deal, they secured a £250,000 investment from Bartlett for a 3% equity stake. That’s the biggest investment from ‘The Diary of A CEO’ host since he joined Dragons’ Den in 2022. He initially aimed for a 5% stake, but the Kimaï ladies held their ground until he said, “I just can’t let you walk away.” 

Looking back at the nerve-wracking yet exhilarating pitch, Jessica said, “We were really nervous at the start of the pitch but really enjoyed it as we went on.” 

Now, with the TV exposure and Bartlett’s guidance, they’re revving up for some serious growth. As Jessica put it, “We’re excited about the visibility our brand got from being on TV and having access to Steven Bartlett for advice and his skills.”

But let’s not forget, Kimaï isn’t new to success. Since its launch in 2018, it’s seen a steady rise, attracting high-profile customers like the Duchess of Sussex and Emma Watson. And sales in November and December 2023 skyrocketed 100% from the previous year. With their first permanent store opened in Chiltern Street in December 2022, things are looking up!