Shaun Pulfrey created the Tangle Teezer hairbrush featured on the British TV show Dragons' Den.
Pulfrey was a professional hairdresser who developed the product after observing how conventional brushes could pull and damage tangled hair. The Tangle Teezer uses a distinctive arrangement of flexible teeth intended to separate tangles more gently than many traditional brushes. Its design became the central selling point of the business.
Pulfrey appeared on Dragons' Den in 2007 and sought investment for his invention. The pitch is often remembered because the Dragons did not invest, yet the product later became a major commercial success. This is an important distinction: appearing on the programme does not mean a deal was completed, and a televised offer can also be subject to later negotiation.
Tangle Teezer subsequently expanded internationally and developed several brush styles. Shaun Pulfrey’s story is therefore commonly cited as an example of a Dragons' Den business succeeding without receiving investment from the panel.