Dragons’ Den viewers left baffled by aspiring entrepreneur’s security alarm system pitch

Dragons’ Den viewers were left baffled by an aspiring entrepreneur’s van security alarm pitch. 

On last night’s show, inventor Michael Horsfall, from Leeds, set out to raise £45,000 in exchange for a 10 per cent share in his business the Van Guardian.

Although he works as a heating engineer, the businessman decided to develop his own security system after his van was repeatedly targeted by thieves.

He explained: ‘I was getting regular copper pipe theft from just outside my own front door. So I know firsthand how devastating van crime can be.’

As a result, Michael created the Van Guardian – which promises to activate an alarm from the first moment of contact. 

Michael Horsfall (pictured), from Leeds, set out to raise £45,000 in exchange for a 10 per cent share in the Van Guardian

Once Michael arrived in the loft, his working van was there waiting for him to do his demonstration. 

Urging the dragons Peter Jones, Deborah Meaden, Sara Davies, Theo Paphitis and Steven Bartlett to invest, Michael said: ‘I suffered a spate of van crime incidents which changed the course of my life.

‘What I realised is that factory-fitted van alarms are designed to go off after the doors open, which is too late.

‘This is why I developed Van Guardian, the pre-emptive early warning alarm system. It activates on contact to protect the vulnerable, commonly-targeted, at-risk zones on and around the van.’

But despite initially intriguing his potential investors with the £55 product, viewers were more concerned about the logistics of filming.

One Twitter user asked: ‘How does he get the van into the lift??’

Using a laughing emoji, another added: ‘How did they get a van onto the floor if people have to use a lift?’

As usual, the beginning of the segment showed Michael taking a lift up to the dragons’ loft to deliver his pitch.

Viewer were confused how Michael’s van appeared in the filming space when he arrived via a lift

Viewers flocked to Twitter to question how the van made it into the Dragons’ loft. Others said the stars had ‘missed out’ by passing up the chance to invest in Van Guardian

Although the first seasons of Dragons’ Den was filmed in a loft near London Bridge, the show relocated to Old Granada TV Studios in Manchester in 2018.

The new filming location allows contestants to incorporate larger items – such as Michael’s van – into their pitches.

Although none of the Dragons chose to invest in Michael’s business, viewers expressed their support for the businessman on Twitter.

One said: ‘Van guardian looks a brilliant product! The dragons have missed out.’

Another added: ‘That Van Guardian on Dragons’ Den was fantastic. The dragons missed out! Jewson, Travis Perkins, Screwfix, you should take a look at it!’