Adapt Ability duo “inundated with requests” following success on BBC1’s Dragon’s Den
Matt Walker and business partner Cristian Brownlee have said they have been inundated with requests for more information about their Omeo hands-free powered wheelchair since appearing on BBC1’s Dragon’s Den last week.
The duo have also stated that they are open to the opportunity of “forward-thinking” mobility retailers joining them in “revolutionising the mobility market”.
As reported in THIIS, the pair of entrepreneurs entered the Den to pitch a £40,000 investment for 15 per cent in their business. Cristian and Matthew had founded Adapt Ability in 2020 and testify that the Omeo has has changed their lives radically for the better.
Both use wheelchairs after sustaining accidents causing spinal damage. Matt, 43, has a T10 spinal injury which has left him permanently paralysed from the waist down and Cristian, 33, has a T4 spinal injury which has left him permanently paralysed from the chest down.
The Omeo technology originates in New Zealand and is assembled into the self-balancing chair by Adapt Ability. Instead of the wheelchair user pushing their own wheels, they can propel and shift direction using their bodyweight. It works on all terrains, muddy paths, gravel or sandy beaches. As it is hands-free, the user can hold things while moving.
After outlining their business plan, the duo negotiated a joint offer from Dragon’s Touker Suleyman, Sara Davies and Steven Bartlett, who each pledged a third of the money for a five per cent share of the business.
Cristian Brownlee commented exclusively to THIIS: “Securing financial backing on the TV programme Dragon’s Den has been totally overwhelming. The whole process has left me with feelings of excitement, deep gratitude and disbelief.
“I have been watching Dragon’s Den for many years and always joked that I would one day face the Dragons head on. To have actually been in the Den, faced the Dragons and come out with not one but three Dragon’s wanting to invest in the Omeo has given me a real sense of pride not only for what I have achieved but also what my business partner Matt and the amazing team at Adapt Ability have achieved together.
“Since the programme aired, we have been inundated with requests for more information about the Omeo and we have set up a series of ‘try me days’ across the country.”
Disabled members of the public are invited to try the Omeo at various locations in the UK with specifics to be found here.
According to Adapt Ability, the Omeo is CE certified and is converted to UKCA certification but it is not classified as a medical device. The CE Declaration of Conformity, its founders state, covers the essential requirements of RED 2014/35/EU.
The Adapt Ability team invites mobility retailers interested in finding out more about the product to please contact Cristian Brownlee at cristian@myadaptability.co.uk to discuss further.
