Which original Dragons' Den investor founded the Yo! brand before joining the BBC programme?

Simon Woodroffe founded the Yo! brand before joining the BBC's Dragons' Den programme.

The Yo! brand began with Yo! Sushi, the conveyor-belt restaurant business Woodroffe launched in London in 1997. The concept made sushi more accessible and created a visually distinctive dining experience, with customers selecting dishes as they passed their seats.

Woodroffe's experience creating and expanding the brand helped establish his credentials as an entrepreneur. He became one of the original investors when the British version of Dragons' Den premiered in 2005, joining a panel that assessed new businesses and potential investments.

The word “brand” can cause confusion because Yo! later became associated with more than the original restaurant concept. The key fact is that Woodroffe founded the Yo! business, while the BBC programme was a later television role. He did not remain a regular dragon throughout the show's entire run.