Dragons' Den reject James Nash is putting "two fingers up" to Duncan Bannatyne, Peter Jones and co, claiming new export markets will help double sales of his pre-filled wine glasses next year.
The innovative on-the-go wine format, called The Tulip, was unanimously dismissed by the TV panel last year, but sales are expected to increase from £1.5m to £3.5m by the end of 2011 as it expands across the globe.
Licensing agreements with importers in Australia, America, Brazil and South Africa were in the contractual stage awaiting final sign-off, said Nash, and Marks & Spencer which introduced Tulip glasses of its Le Froglet wine to shelves in April has placed a second order for the concept.
"The number of enquiries from around the world is unbelievable," said Nash. "From Hong Kong to India to China we're having two or three enquiries a day from people wanting to become agents."
Nash's company, Wine Innovations, would sell a Tulip sealing machine and licence to only one agent in each country and earn royalties from each sale, he added.
"Next year is going to be huge. We should have five brand machines operating around the world and that's a really big UK export. We're very proud that this is a British invention. We can put two fingers up to the Dragons."
As well as Le Froglet in M&S, Wine Innovations supplies its Tulip glass to Booker wholesale and food travel company SSP.
It is currently in discussions with other multiple retailers with a view to further listings.
The innovative on-the-go wine format, called The Tulip, was unanimously dismissed by the TV panel last year, but sales are expected to increase from £1.5m to £3.5m by the end of 2011 as it expands across the globe.
Licensing agreements with importers in Australia, America, Brazil and South Africa were in the contractual stage awaiting final sign-off, said Nash, and Marks & Spencer which introduced Tulip glasses of its Le Froglet wine to shelves in April has placed a second order for the concept.
"The number of enquiries from around the world is unbelievable," said Nash. "From Hong Kong to India to China we're having two or three enquiries a day from people wanting to become agents."
Nash's company, Wine Innovations, would sell a Tulip sealing machine and licence to only one agent in each country and earn royalties from each sale, he added.
"Next year is going to be huge. We should have five brand machines operating around the world and that's a really big UK export. We're very proud that this is a British invention. We can put two fingers up to the Dragons."
As well as Le Froglet in M&S, Wine Innovations supplies its Tulip glass to Booker wholesale and food travel company SSP.
It is currently in discussions with other multiple retailers with a view to further listings.
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