A boy of 12 from Erewash has become one of the youngest entrepreneurs to appear on Dragons’ Den after winning borough council backing for an interactive T-shirt he invented.
BBC1 viewers got to see Max Palfrey wowing business moguls including Peter Jones and Deborah Meaden on Thursday 31st July.
Max was just five when he came up with the idea of sewing fidget toys called Pop-Its into T-shirt seams – to help soothe those like himself who have neurodivergency issues and are prone to sensory overload.
The gadgets incorporated into the patented Fidget-T tops are a source of comfort to wearers who also benefit from super-soft fabric. Max was seen on the show alongside his dad Matt – who in 2023 helped him to successfully apply for a research and development grant from Erewash Borough Council.
The pair are no strangers to appearing on television after ITV’s This Morning last year invited them into the studio to explain how their clothing company came about.
Anyone wanting to know if the father and son managed to bag investment from any of the Dragons is being urged to find out for themselves.
Matt said: “We started because Max couldn’t tolerate most clothing, and struggled to regulate after a difficult day. We knew so many others felt the same. Presenting the Fidget-T in the Den together was a surreal and proud moment for us both.”
The latest round of R&D grants from Erewash Borough Council is seeing more than £100,000 made available to encourage local firms to innovate and create jobs.
The authority will pay two thirds of the bill for coming up with new products, processes and technologies. Firms that agree to meet a third of their project’s costs can be awarded sums of between £5,000 and £20,000.
Cllr Curtis Howard, who is the Lead Member for Planning and Regeneration, encouraged businesses to follow Max and his dad’s lead by applying. He said: “Since 2022 we have invested hundreds of thousands of pounds into R&D for local businesses, protecting and creating good, high-skilled jobs.
“We’ve supported everything from unique start-ups to some of the most cutting-edge businesses we have – along with local manufacturers and artisan furniture makers.
“We’ve got money to back our hard workers and innovators here in Erewash – whether you are forging the future, making things with your hands or just making life better for children.”
Information on the grants is on the Erewash Borough Council website here: Research and Development Grant | Erewash Borough Council
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