Teenager behind £1m-a-year business to face Dragons’ Den investors

Caleb Slater will appear on the BBC One programme on Friday, September 25, pitching Cards2Cash, his online marketplace for buying and selling gift cards.

Caleb was aged just 18 when he walked into the famous Den to put his business in front of some of the UK’s best-known investors.

The former Wootton Park School student launched Cards2Cash when he was 16 and the company has since grown to more than £1 million in sales each year, with a team based in Northampton.

Caleb said: “Walking into the Den at 18 was a pretty surreal experience.

“You know that you're going to be challenged from every angle, and there's nowhere to hide.

“I'd spent years building my business, so having the opportunity to stand in front of the investors and put everything I had worked on under the spotlight was a huge moment for me.”

His television appearance comes during another busy year for the young entrepreneur, who has also moved into the food industry.

Earlier this month, Caleb opened Northampton’s first Zambrero Mexican fast-food restaurant at Brackmills Trade Park.

He secured the lease on the former Greggs unit and previously said the new venture would create around 10 jobs in the town.

Caleb plans to continue running Cards2Cash alongside the restaurant.

Speaking about facing the Dragons, he added: “I was excited, nervous and, if I'm honest, probably a little bit terrified all at the same time.

“But it was an opportunity I couldn't turn down. I'm really looking forward to people finally being able to watch the pitch.”

Viewers will see Caleb questioned about Cards2Cash, its performance and his plans for its future as he attempts to persuade the Dragons of its potential.

The episode of Dragons’ Den featuring Caleb will air on BBC One at 8pm on Friday, September 25, and will also be available on BBC iPlayer.