As the Dragons' Den competition returns to Hartpury University and Hartpury College for 2026, we shine a spotlight on students who stepped into the arena at last year’s competition and are now turning ambition into action.
James Fallon
BA (Hons) Sports Business Management
Business: Rugby Wardrobe
When James pitched Rugby Wardrobe, he had a clear vision, and £500 in prize funding helped turn that vision into tangible growth.
Since Dragons’ Den, James has invested his winnings into stock and a new gazebo to support in-person sales, strengthening his presence at events and markets. His brand has continued to develop, and he’s even collaborated with fellow Hartpury entrepreneur Harvey McNamara.
The Hartpury team has remained in touch, offering continued support as he scales. For James, Dragons’ Den wasn’t just a one-off experience, it was a launchpad.
Alicia Padfield
BSc (Hons) Human-Animal Interaction with Psychology
Business: Monty’s Meadow
Alicia’s venture, Monty’s Meadow, has gone from strength to strength since securing £1,000 in funding at Dragons’ Den.
She invested the prize money into a sheltered seating area for customers and a gazebo for events and fairs, practical improvements that supported rapid growth. The business is now consistently fully booked, with demand so strong that Alicia is exploring franchising opportunities and the possibility of opening additional fields.
Balancing a growing business with university life is no small task, but Alicia’s progress reflects both resilience and commercial instinct, exactly the kind of real-world development Dragons’ Den is designed to support.
Cana Bamin
BA (Hons) Sports Business Management
Business: Bamball
Cana used his £500 prize money to develop a prototype for Bamball, using his dissertation research to explore the commercial and scientific potential of his concept within the rugby community.
Now considering a master’s degree to further investigate the science underpinning his innovation, Cana represents the powerful blend of academic research and enterprise thinking that sits at the heart of Hartpury’s approach.
For Cana, Dragons’ Den marked a significant milestone: “The recent event was not only a meaningful occasion but one that I will carry with me as a special milestone in my journey.”
Harvey McNamara
Business: Blinside Box
Harvey impressed the Dragons with Blinside Box, securing £500 which he reinvested into vintage and women’s rugby stock, wholesale opportunities and brand collaborations, including working alongside James Fallon.
For Harvey, the experience itself was transformative: “I thoroughly enjoyed it and will take the experiences learnt through my life.”
His journey demonstrates that enterprise skills can be developed at any stage and that confidence built through pitching can translate directly into commercial action.
More than a competition
Dragons’ Den is delivered as part of Hartpury University and Hartpury College’s wider enterprise ecosystem. Students are supported not only in refining their ideas, but in understanding markets, financial planning, research methods and long-term strategy.
The competition also connects students with experienced industry professionals that can prove influential for life.
Dawn Oliver, Partner at Lodders said: “It was an absolute honour to be a Dragon and I was bowled over by the standard of the presentations and the confidence with which they were delivered.”
John Lannon, Senior Lecturer in Business Management at Hartpury University added: “The competition is always an excellent day and the standard of the students last year was outstanding. It’s great to catch up with their progress and seeing them do so well.”
