A Nottinghamshire dad’s edgy idea attracts high-profile investment
Nottinghamshire eye surgeon and father-of-two, Dr Rajan Bhojwani, secured a £35,000 investment from Dragon Steven Bartlett for 40% of his business on last night’s episode of Dragons’ Den.
His invention, SeeTheTape, rethinks one of life’s most frustrating household tools: the humble roll of sticky tape. By replacing the typical white inner core with a black one, SeeTheTape makes the tape’s edge immediately visible - a simple yet clever tweak inspired by years of surgical precision that combines medical insight with everyday practicality.
The idea for SeeTheTape began with a light-hearted moment at home. While watching The Worst Witch with his daughters, Laranya, 14, and Pranaya, 10, a scene about finding the end of sticky tape sparked a thought - why not make it easier to see?
Days later, during an appointment with a partially sighted patient, that spark turned into a solution. Drawing on his experience examining the cornea - the eye’s clear front surface - Dr Bhojwani realised that contrast was the key. Years of experimentation followed, leading to patents, prototypes and trials with the Partially Sighted Society, where users found the tape’s edge in less than half the time of a standard roll.
Reflecting on his experience, Dr Bhojwani said: “SeeTheTape began as a throwaway family conversation. To get the support of a Dragon felt incredible. I’ve spent years working on something that might look tiny, but can make a big difference for people - from parents wrapping presents to those with sight loss.”
Having appeared on the show, Dr Bhojwani and his team are now preparing for commercial rollout and are already in discussions with major retailers and manufacturers. Dr Bhojwani added: “Steven instantly understood the potential. It’s practical, universal, and easy to love - the kind of product you wonder how you ever lived without.”
Watch the full pitch on BBC iPlayer.