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Former BBC Dragons’ Den investor makes first major consumer brand investment in almost two decades after being won over by the entrepreneur behind one of Britain’s fastest-growing fashion businesses
Former BBC Dragons’ Den star James Caan CBE has announced his first major consumer investment in almost 20 years, backing Brie Read, founder and CEO of SNAG Tights, the inclusive fashion company that has grown from a start-up launched in 2018 into a business reportedly valued at around £250 million.
For nearly two decades after leaving Dragons’ Den, Caan’s investment focus centred on what he knows best – recruitment, staffing, executive search, property and private equity through Hamilton Bradshaw.
Consumer brands have largely been absent from his portfolio as he concentrated on scaling service businesses.
That changed when he met Brie Read.
After hearing Read explain the vision behind SNAG, its explosive growth, loyal global customer base and mission to transform fashion through genuine inclusivity, Caan reached the same conclusion millions of viewers watched him make in the Den.
“I’m in.”
Those two words mark Caan’s return to the type of founder-led consumer investment that first made him one of Britain’s best-known business investors.
Backing The Entrepreneur
Throughout his time as a Dragon, James Caan repeatedly said he invested in people first and products second.
His favourite investments were rarely the flashiest ideas – they were founders with resilience, ambition and the ability to build lasting businesses.
That philosophy appears unchanged.
Brie Read has built SNAG from scratch into one of Britain’s fastest-growing fashion businesses by challenging industry assumptions around sizing, representation and direct-to-consumer retail.
In just eight years the business has expanded from tights into clothing, lingerie and accessories while building a fiercely loyal international community.
Coming Full Circle
When James Caan joined Dragons’ Den in 2007, he became known for spotting entrepreneurs other investors overlooked.
During his time in the Den he backed businesses including:
-Goldgenie (formerly Midas Touch) – luxury gold-plating business.
-Caribbean Ready Meals – authentic Caribbean food brand.
-Fit Fur Life – the now-famous canine treadmill business.
-Chocbox – electrical safety enclosure that became one of the show’s biggest commercial success stories.
-Rapstrap – reusable fastening system, which went on to secure major international contracts.
-Treasure Trails – family treasure hunt business.
-Toastabags – reusable sandwich toaster bags.
-Blindsinabox – made-to-measure blinds.
-EasyArt – online art retailer.
-Golfers Mate – golf pitch repair tool.
Takeaway ordering platform investments and several other consumer, engineering and business service companies across Series 5 and 6.
Across the programme, Caan agreed around 18 investments, committing more than £1.2 million on screen, although – as with all Dragons’ Den deals – not every investment completed after due diligence.
Why SNAG?
Industry observers say SNAG represents many of the qualities Caan has consistently looked for throughout his career:
-Founder-led.
-Solving a genuine consumer problem.
-Strong profitability and international growth potential.
-Authentic brand identity.
-Highly engaged customer community.
-Clear opportunity for long-term scale.
Rather than backing a concept, Caan is once again backing an entrepreneur.
Just as he did with businesses like Chocbox, Rapstrap and Fit Fur Life, he believes the founder is the company’s greatest asset.
For Brie Read, the investment brings one of Britain’s most experienced entrepreneurs into the business at a pivotal stage of its growth.
For James Caan, it represents something equally significant-a return to the consumer brands that helped define his years in the Den.
Nearly twenty years after audiences watched him weigh up entrepreneurs before delivering his verdict, one phrase is once again defining his investment philosophy:
*”I’m in.”*
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Image source: James Caan/Brie Read
