Linus Gorpe from The Raw Chocolate Company wins over the Dragons

The founder of the Raw Chocolate Company wowed all five dragons on the flagship BBC Dragons Den show last weekend. Fighting over each other for a stake in the company, it was Deborah Meaden who struck a deal with Sussex-based Linus Gorpe. 

“This is exactly what I was looking for,” she said as they hugged at the end of the show.

Entrepreneur Linus, who established the company in 2006, told Local Food Britain,"A lot of people have been asking us how this changes things and the answer is - it changes nothing. We'll continue to create wonderful nutritious, ethical raw chocolate; we'll just do it for more people. This means that we'll still be supporting our core independent retailers as well as seeking out wider opportunities."

During the course of the programme, the chocolate company’s website had an astounding 1.4 million hits and in just two hours took a month's worth of orders.  

“Reaction to the show has been amazing,” added Linus. “Everyone has been so supportive, expressing their love for our products and what we do. I set this company up to have a positive effect on people and this seems to be being reflected in the way people are reacting to the news.”

The Dragons were all impressed by Linus’s confidence and the quality of the raw chocolate bars and snacks he makes.

“This is the best chocolate that I have ever tasted in 10 years of making Dragons Den,” said multi-millionaire Peter Jones, while new Dragon Touker Suleyman said he was jealous of the successful Dragon.

"We’re really looking forward to working with Deborah. She champions environmental and ethical responsibility and I think we’re going to have a wonderful relationship,” said Linus.

• Raw Chocolate Company products are now available in Holland and Barrett as well as online and at many independent and healthfood stores.
• Established by Linus Gorpe in 2006, The Raw Chocolate Company makes pure raw chocolate bars, raw chocolate coated berries and bagged supreme foods. All products are vegan, most are Fairtrade and Organic and the factory is renewably powered.The Raw Chocolate Company has a range of six silky smooth raw chocolate bars in two sizes. The unique and multi-award nominated Raw Chocolate Mulberries, Goji berries and Raisins are a great hit all over the world. They also produce Raw Supreme foods such as Acai Powder and Raw Mulberries.