Imperial Candles

Imperial Candles appeared on Dragons' Den in season 17, episode 8, which aired in 2019, pitched by Claudia Negoescu and Alexandru Ianas.

In the pitch, Imperial Candles asked the Dragons for £100,000 for 40% of the business, valuing the business at about £250,000.

Imperial Candles struck a deal in the Den, though the exact terms were not disclosed on air.

When we checked in July 2026, Imperial Candles was still selling, so we mark this pitch as still available and date the check.

Forty percent is a large chunk of any company to offer, and that is where Imperial Candles started: 100,000 pounds for a 40% stake, an ask that values Claudia Negoescu and Alexandru Ianas's jewellery-in-candles business at 250,000 pounds. The pair did leave with an investment, but here the record goes quiet. The episode confirmed a deal without ever putting figures to it, so we will not guess whether the Dragons held them to that 40% or negotiated it down. Analysing only what aired, the interesting tension is the ask itself. Offering nearly half the equity signals either real hunger for a partner or a founder team comfortable sharing control early. Whether the candle brand kept selling after the cameras stopped is a separate question, and one we would need to confirm against a live listing rather than assume.