A father and son from Birmingham have celebrated a significant achievement following their appearance on the BBC’s Dragons' Den, where they bravely opened up about a challenging period they recently endured.
Ivor and Eugene Patterson, the duo behind Revibed Drinks, appeared on the programme which aired on Thursday, 10 September, to seek a £50,000 investment in exchange for 15% equity in their flavoured water brand. They described Revibed Drinks as “a brand on a mission to make hydration with heritage.”
Eugene shared the origin of the business, recounting how he grew up watching his father prepare hibiscus tea in their kitchen. While backpacking through Asia during the pandemic, he rediscovered the recipe, which inspired him to reimagine the drink. This led to developing a lightly sparkling, refreshing beverage featuring naturally derived ingredients, zero sugar, and fewer than 10 calories per can, all while remaining true to its traditional roots.
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The brothers expressed their hopes that a Dragon would join them to support existing retail listings, help fulfil orders, and assist with expanding their product line to include options such as powders. They also sought mentorship from the experienced investors seated before them.
While tasting their product, Dragon Peter Jones cautioned them about the difficulties of the industry. He warned that moving into powders could cause a loss of focus and expressed doubts about their chances of success. Following his departure, guest Dragon Jenna Meek and investor Touker Suleyman also decided not to proceed with an offer, each providing their reasons grounded in the challenging nature of the business.
After Deborah Meaden also declined, the final decision rested with Steven Bartlett. He praised Eugene’s efforts and expressed hope that he was proud of their journey together. It was then that Eugene revealed his father had recently suffered a heart attack, and the family had experienced a difficult year.
Moved by their story and determination, Steven offered them the full investment they sought. The moment brought tears to both Ivor and Eugene, who described it as “emotional.”
Following the broadcast, the father and son shared their experience on social media, reflecting on their five-year journey from their family kitchen to the national television stage. They thanked supporters and recalled the highs and lows that marked their entrepreneurial path.
Fans of the show responded with enthusiasm and encouragement, praising their accomplishment and expressing excitement to watch their pitch.
Dragons' Den is available for viewing on BBC iPlayer.