Tony Eboh, the first entrepreneur in episode 10 came to pitch the idea of an elite sports bar – with strategically empathized on soccer. He was seeking 30 million naira, and was offering 60% equity. He explained that the idea behind the bar would be to create an atmosphere where soccer fans could meet, network, and discuss soccer. The bar has been designed to admit members only. His idea seemed to have captured the dragons’ interest – but the dragons wanted to know why he was basing customers’ admission into this bar on membership only.

Femi Tejuoso and Chris Parkes felt that the price Tony has placed on membership was too high, explaining that his competitors were more affordable – and with their reputation, and from the variety of products offered by his competition, it was the dragons’ opinion that his competitors were likely to attract more patronage.

However, Chris Parkes obviously interested in the idea made an investment of 10 million naira- requesting for 25% equity. But the entrepreneur was still 20 million naira short, and without having been able to convince the other dragons to come onboard he lost out. John Momoh’s interest had been kindled but somehow the entrepreneur was not able to convince him that his business was “the way to go”. Ibukun Awosika was emphatic with her position – she stressed that she would only invest if she was assured that Tony Eboh wasn’t going to manage the business. Tony Eboh couldn’t accept this condition.

The dragons opted out.

2^{nd Entrepreneur}

Teslim Owonikoko, a scientist and inventor was next in the den. He was seeking 26 million naira in exchange for 5% equity. He proudly announced himself as the recipient of the BEST INVENTOR IN NIGERIA award from the Federal Ministry of Science and Technology, and he was briefly congratulated by the dragons. However, he went on and on describing the chemical components of a bouquet of inventions and products he had assembled in the den. He came across as someone who took so much pride in his inventions, but John Momoh was curious as to why the Federal Ministry of Science and Technology had not funded the best inventor in Nigeria. In trying to explain, Teslim stated that he was not impressed by the government’s offer, and felt strongly that the dragons were more suitable investors.

But half way through his presentation it was still very unclear what this entrepreneur wanted from the dragons. The dragons wanted to know what he was going to do with the money he was asking for. They also wanted to know exactly was deal he was proposing. And basically, they wanted to know if his intention was to get their investment in order to develop one of the products to launch into the local market. But Teslim seemed more eager to ‘advertise’ his innovations one by one – frustrating the dragons every move to get clarity.

He was not able to communicate his demands, or needs effectively to the dragons, and this development seemed very numbing and unwholesome to the dragons. Tokunboh Ishmael tried to no avail to guide the entrepreneur towards getting to the agenda on ground. In the end, he seemed to have annoyed and frustrated the dragons. They all opted out of his proposition, but Ibukun Awosika in her classic mother-dragon role was not about to let this entrepreneur walk away without being taught the basic principle of business presentations. She decried his pride, recommending a very strong dose of humility; she rendered a lengthy but emotionally compelling career counsel to Teslim. According to Ibukun Awosika, the entrepreneur had products with high value but the pride and arrogance of an inventor would not let him get value for his innovations.

Teslim listened intently, apparently moved by Ibukun Awosika’s concern. He expressed his gratitude to the dragons as he humbly exited the den.