Drake: The Dragon Wargame

Benjamin McDonald, from Richmond, BC, asked for $300,000 for 40 per cent of Drake: The Dragon Wargame, a tabletop battle game played with figurines, playing cards and dice that customers assemble and paint themselves. Starter kits sell for around $50. McDonald said he has sold hundreds of thousands of models across more than 30 countries and more than 120 different products, with the main competitor, Games Workshop, generating around $500 million US annually at an 81 per cent margin. McDonald previously ran a local Vancouver manufacturing operation staffed by family members, which nearly failed due to high overhead costs, leading him to fire family members including his parents, who had originally funded the business.

Michael Wekerle went out, unwilling to bet on the founder again given the past failure. Michele Romanow went out, saying Joe Mimran would be the best partner. Manjit Minhas went out, citing overly high overhead costs and unwillingness to fund past mistakes. Joe Mimran offered $300,000 for a 10 per cent royalty forever, and Jim Treliving offered $300,000 for 51 per cent with operational and financial control; after McDonald asked whether $340,000 might be possible, both Mimran and Treliving withdrew their offers, and no deal was made.

Drake: The Dragon Wargame is still operating and sells through its website.