Alan Sugar founded the electronics retailer and manufacturer Amstrad.
Sugar established Amstrad in 1968, and the company became associated with consumer electronics, personal computers and home technology. The name is derived from Alan Michael Sugar Trading. Its products helped make Sugar a prominent British entrepreneur before he became a television personality.
He was the central investor on the original British version of The Apprentice, not a regular dragon on Dragons' Den. This distinction matters because the programmes are often grouped together as business reality shows and both feature entrepreneurs seeking guidance or investment.
Amstrad became especially well known for home computers and satellite-related equipment during different stages of its history. Sugar later sold the company to BSkyB in 2007. Therefore, the company identifies Sugar's entrepreneurial background, while his best-known BBC boardroom role belongs to another programme.