Dragons’ Den Star Transforms Pasta Venture into £40 Million Success

Alessandro Savelli, known for his appearance on the television show Dragons’ Den, has turned his initial setbacks into a remarkable success story, now boasting a net worth of £40 million. As the co-founder and CEO of Pasta Evangelists, a fresh pasta brand that began with letterbox-delivered food kits, Savelli’s journey has been transformative.

The company is poised for significant growth, planning to open 100 new restaurants across the UK over the next few years. This expansion includes locations in the Midlands, Scotland, and southern England. In a recent interview with The Grocer, Savelli revealed that the company is investing £30 million into this ambitious venture, driven by a growing demand for their artisan pasta offerings.

“Our intention is to become the UK’s fastest-growing casual dining hotspot and the hottest place to eat for pasta lovers of all ages,” Savelli stated. He acknowledged the current challenges facing the hospitality industry but expressed confidence in his company’s resilient business model. The proof, he noted, lies in the confirmed opening of five new restaurants within a mere three months, with more planned for the near future.

Reflecting on his experience in Dragons’ Den in 2018, Savelli and his business partner, Finn Lagun, sought a £75,000 investment for a 2.5 percent equity stake in Pasta Evangelists. Their pitch was met with skepticism; investor Jenny Campbell described Lagun as “delusional” and a “disaster” during their appearance. Despite the rejection, Savelli’s determination only intensified.

The show has seen other entrepreneurs face similar challenges. Anshu Ahuja, the founder of DabbaDrop, appeared on the show seeking £100,000 for a 3 percent stake in her sustainable takeaway business. Launched in 2018, inspired by Mumbai’s dabbawala system, Ahuja had successfully valued her company at over £3 million just a few years later.

Despite a strong business foundation, which included an annual turnover exceeding £800,000, Ahuja was unable to secure investment from the panel of Dragons, which included prominent figures like Peter Jones, Sara Davies, and Steven Bartlett.

Ahuja explained the importance of her appearance on the show: “We had done quite a lot of work going into Dragons’ Den and our own fundraising round, so the £4 million valuation was independently assessed based on our revenues and subscriber metrics.” At the time of her pitch, DabbaDrop had a waiting list of 4,000 potential customers, reflecting strong consumer interest.

Both Savelli and Ahuja illustrate the complexities and challenges of entrepreneurship, especially when navigating the high-stakes environment of reality television. Their stories highlight not only the unpredictability of securing investment but also the resilience and innovation that can lead to substantial success in the business world.