Dragons' Den stars who were branded 'delusional' for their company's valuation have revealed it is now worth more than £7,500,000. Dr. Guy Sandelowsky and Shiv Sivakumar, founders of the vegan pet food brand Omni, appeared on the show last year seeking investment. Their company, founded in 2021, produces lab-grown pet food from yeasts, algae, and pulses, aiming to provide healthier, environmentally sustainable options for pets with allergies.
In just two years, Omni generated over £2,500,000 in sales, with 80% of customers becoming subscribers. The founders asked the Dragons for £75,000 in exchange for 1% equity, a valuation that sparked harsh criticism. Touker Suleyman said he 'wouldn't even get out of bed for' such a stake, while Peter Jones fumed, 'You're delusional about what this is really worth,' noting the valuation was seven times the previous year's revenue.
Dragons Impressed Despite Criticism
However, Deborah Meaden and Steven Bartlett were impressed by Omni's customer lifetime value. Deborah called it 'absolutely brilliant,' and Steven praised the ability to turn £40 into £400. They offered to invest, with Steven explaining, 'The single most important factor has actually been: are they killers? I think you guys are.' The founders negotiated the Dragons down from a combined 3% to 2.5% equity.
Post-Show Growth
Since the episode aired, Omni has experienced remarkable growth. In an interview in March 2025, Dr. Guy said the response was 'amazing,' forcing them to re-evaluate stock levels and customer service capacity. Shiv added that their valuation is now 'so much more' than when they filmed the show. In the year leading up to the episode, they tripled their business through word-of-mouth.
Reacting to the criticism, Dr. Guy explained that the Dragons focused on historical numbers, while the founders based their valuation on future projections given their rapid growth. 'When you look at our run-rate based on our revenue, it's not as crazy as they were alluding to,' he said.
Product Mission
Omni's products include supplements for dogs with stress and anxiety, a growing concern post-pandemic. Dr. Guy, a vet, saw an opportunity to prevent health issues through nutrition. 'If you get the nutrition right, you can actually prevent a lot of problems,' he said. The company aims to become a household brand and expand internationally within five years.
Since the interview, Omni's annual recurring revenue has surged to £11 million. The episode is available on BBC iPlayer.
