A Dragons’ Den success story has officially made history.
Natural energy drink brand PerfectTed now valued at an incredible £140million – the biggest payday ever to come out of the hit BBC business show.
The matcha-powered drink company, founded by Marisa Poster and Teddie Levenfiche, first caught the attention of viewers – and the Dragons – when they entered the Den in 2023.
The pair secured a joint investment from Steven Bartlett and Peter Jones, who each offered £50,000 for a 5% stake in the business.
While Peter Jones later stepped away, Bartlett stayed on board – and it has since ‘grown rapidly.’
The company’s valuation has soared after a major round of funding from venture capital firm Felix Capital, with The Grocer reporting the brand’s worth has climbed to around £140m.
PerfectTed’s growth has been nothing short of remarkable.
Before appearing on Dragons’ Den, Marisa and Teddie had already built early momentum, securing listings with Tesco.
Since then, the brand has expanded into Waitrose, Holland & Barrett, and Whole Foods, and can now be found in thousands of stores across the UK and abroad.
Their range of matcha-based sparkling drinks fits perfectly with growing consumer demand for cleaner, more natural sources of energy.
The founders wanted to create a healthy alternative to traditional energy drinks – one that used real ingredients and offered a steady caffeine boost without the crash.
Following their appearance on the BBC show, Bartlett continued to support the company through his investment fund, Flight Fund, which provided further backing to help PerfectTed scale up production and expand distribution.
His involvement has been a driving force behind the company’s rapid success. PerfectTed has since topped the FEBE Growth 100 list, which celebrates the UK’s fastest-growing founder-led businesses.
According to the ranking, the brand achieved a staggering 532% growth year-on-year, outperforming some of the country’s best-known challenger brands.
Speaking to The Grocer, co-founder Marisa Poster said the Dragons’ backing represented more than just financial support.
‘This is more than just an investment – it’s fuel for our mission to make matcha accessible to everyone,’ she explained.
(Picture: BBC)
The company’s rise hasn’t been without its challenges.
The founders previously acknowledged that they launched the business with no background in the food and drink industry, learning everything as they went along.
Steven Bartlett’s continued involvement has also played a major part in PerfectTed’s transformation from startup to multimillion-pound brand.
As one of the UK’s most prominent young entrepreneurs, Bartlett has consistently championed businesses with purpose and authenticity – values that align closely with PerfectTed’s mission.
The company’s clean branding and relatable story have helped it stand out in a crowded market.
The brand’s success also signals a shift in what Dragons’ Den contestants can achieve beyond the show.
Today, PerfectTed is stocked in over 30,000 stores worldwide, with plans to expand even further.
The team has hinted at international ambitions, including potential growth into the US market, where interest in matcha and natural energy drinks continues to rise.
In just two years, the founders have transformed a startup idea into one of the UK’s fastest-growing beverage companies.
With Bartlett’s backing, PerfectTed’s rise has been both rapid and sustained – and there’s every sign it’s still only the beginning.
Got a story?
If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.