Which Dragon's Den investor founded the online retailer AO World?

John Roberts founded the online retailer AO World.

AO World began as Appliances Online, a business selling domestic appliances over the internet. Roberts founded the company in 2000 after identifying an opportunity to make appliance shopping more convenient and transparent for customers.

Roberts appeared as a guest Dragon on the UK programme rather than being one of its long-running regular investors. That distinction matters because the show's panel has included permanent Dragons, guest Dragons and investors who appeared for limited periods.

AO expanded beyond its original appliance focus and later became a publicly listed company. It is commonly associated with white goods, including refrigerators, washing machines and cookers. The company was formerly known as Appliances Online, so answers using that earlier name describe the business rather than its founder.