Dragons’ Den 2026 has concluded after three days of high-energy pitching, with over 60 student teams ներկայացing a remarkable range of entrepreneurial ideas to panels of seasoned industry professionals.
The event opened with a strong display of creativity and technical problem-solving, as 20 groups took to the floor on Day 1. Among the standout concepts were Aira, a modular and customisable perfume bottle system allowing users to adjust their scent in real time; Sphera, a room-scale active noise cancellation system designed to eliminate external noise without headphones; and ARDU, a high-performance running sock aimed at preventing common foot injuries through advanced padding and grip technology.
A distinguished panel of “Dragons,” including Conor Brennan, Cathal Friel, Janet Walsh, Pat McCann, Eamon Quinn, Sheelagh Brady, Patrick Joy, Julie Connelly, Tommy Kelly, Jane Dillon, Brian O’Rourke, Niall Wall, and Patricia Scanlon, provided feedback, mentorship, and rigorous questioning throughout the opening day.
Momentum continued into Day 2, with 21 additional student groups presenting refined, market-ready concepts. Notable ideas included Allure, a premium ready-to-drink cocktail brand combining luxury spirits with botanical ingredients; EnTherma, an intelligent climate control system using computer vision and machine learning to optimise heating and cooling; and Med2Move, a wearable inhaler designed for athletes, offering hands-free, instant access to medication.
The second day’s panel—featuring Tom Clarke, John Higgins, Barry Bonar, Eimear Moloney, Aislinn DeBarra, Mairin Murray, Conor McCarthy, Rosanne Longmore, Patrick Thorpe, Ray Nolan, Rhona O’Connor, and Mairead Mackle—challenged participants to sharpen their business models and delivery, further elevating the standard of pitches.
The final day brought the event to a close with a final wave of innovative ideas, highlighting the students’ ability to translate complex technical theory into commercially viable solutions. Among the standout pitches were Mantis, a sustainable protein shake using cricket and buffalo worm protein to deliver 60g of protein per serving; Swish, a heated liner for golf gloves designed to maintain warmth without compromising performance; and FarmLink, an on-demand platform connecting dairy farmers with verified relief milkers.
The concluding panel of Dragons—John Devereux, Susan Spence, Eavan Gannon, Helen Milligan, Eunan McBrearty, Ian Nolan, Denise McQuaid, Joe Hogan, Carmel Owens, Elaine Deehan, and Clodagh O’Reilly—praised the students’ innovation, resilience, and professionalism under pressure.
Across all three days, the event showcased not only technical excellence but also strong entrepreneurial thinking, as students demonstrated their ability to bridge the gap between classroom learning and real-world application.
With the final pitches delivered and the Den now closed, organisers noted that the level of talent on display suggests that future industry breakthroughs may already be in development. The event leaves a clear impression: the next generation of innovators is already emerging—and they are ready to make their mark.
