Billionaire Sir Richard Branson signs up for US version of Dragons' Den
VIRGIN tycoon Sir Richard Branson has signed up to the US version of Dragons' Den, it has been revealed.
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The English billionaire revealed earlier this year that he had never been asked to take part in the BBC2 offering, but now the hugely successful businessman will take a place on the US version Shark Tank as a guest.
The Emmy-winning show originally debuted in 2009 as a franchise of the international programme, following a similar format that gives aspiring entrepreneurs the opportunity to pitch their business ideas to a panel of "shark" investors.
However, in the States, the series sees much tougher investors forcing contestants to prove themselves, yet if won over, they invest much larger amounts of money in the ventures.
Richard Branson has officially joined the panel of investors on US series Shark Tank
Shark Tank is a franchise of the international series Dragons' Den
Sir Richard Branson recently stepped out at the Ocean Gala
I love anything that encourages people to follow their dreams
When asked by the Radio Times whether he was invited to take part in Dragons' Den, Sir Richard admitted: "Not that I recall. I've helped out Alan Sugar with appearances on The Apprentice, and had my own entrepreneurial adventure show, The Rebel Billionaire, in the 2000s. "I love anything that encourages people to follow their dreams," he added.
The 66-year-old has never appeared on the US show before, but when one contestant was unsuccessful in their presentation, Sir Richard decided to step in and lend a hand.
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Jamie Siminoff, 40, initially requested £550,000 for a 10 per cent stake in his company that produces a video doorbell connected to a smartphone, but he walked away empty-handed.
Luckily, the philanthropist saw the app on a guest's phone who was staying at his exclusive resort in the British Virgin Islands. He got in touch with Siminoff to offer a hefty investment of £22m in his company, called Ring, which is now sold in 93 countries.
Shark Tank will air on ABC later this year, featuring a slew of other impressive names. They include: Sarah Blakely, Bethenny Frankel from the Real Housewives series, and brand-maker Rohan Oza.