Teesside University graduate has Dragon’s Den hooked
An invention by Teesside University graduate Wayne Taylor impressed television’s toughest business panel.
Wayne Taylor pitched his Rehook invention, a cycling tool designed to reinstate a cycle chain without the mess, on BBC2 show Dragon’s Den – and received offers of investment from all five entrepreneurs offering him investment.
'It was really overwhelming,' said the 34-year-old dad-of-two, who accepted a deal with Deborah Meaden.
Wayne, who is originally from Hartlepool and now living in Norwich, launched the business three years ago with help from his wife Anna Taylor-Maughan.
Rehook is a tool designed to help cyclists get the chain back on to their bikes without any mess. Wayne had the idea after he dropped a chain on his way to work and arrived late for a meeting with oil stained hands and a soiled shirt.
Wayne and Anna worked on Rehook during their spare time, alongside full-time work with software startup companies and looking after their two sons aged four and two.
Wayne's mum Elaine Brown, who still lives in Hartlepool, also helps out with some of the assembly work.
Wayne, who graduated from Teesside University with a First Class degree in Visualisation, in 2008, said: 'I had such an amazing time at the University and absorbed myself in learning as much as could. I was very lucky to have such amazing lecturers over the three years.
I was very lucky to have such amazing lecturers over the three years.
'My degree was the key that opened up my career in military simulation. I used everything I had learned at the University to build graphics engines for training simulations, which we then plugged into the controls of real unmanned aircraft and tanks.
'Software development is becoming more accessible than ever, but I honestly believe I would not have been able to gain the deep understanding of it, without being immersed in university and having the support of such a complementary group of lecturers.'
Wayne, who is now working on the business full-time and is looking forward to growing the company and expanding its range of products, said: 'I’m really pleased to have Deborah on board.
'It was fantastic to have five offers but I have always been impressed by Deborah’s straight talking and pragmatic approach. She is already having a positive impact on the business and I’m looking forward to working with her as the business grows.'
