$1Mfor 10%
Protein Candy
Valued at $10M
The pitch
Frank Djelaj from Windsor, ON, pitched Sili Handle in Season 13, Episode 2, asking the Dragons for $100K for 50% of the company.
- Asked for$100K for 50%
- Valuation$200Kimplied by the ask
- OutcomeDealwith Vincenzo Guzzo
- Final deal$100K for 50%valued at $200K
Offers in the Den
| Dragon | Offer | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Manjit Minhas | No offer, product not big enough of an opportunity | Out |
| Lane Merrifield | No offer, business plan too early stage for investment | Out |
| Michele Romanow | No offer, not ready for investment | Out |
| Jim Treliving | No offer, suggested going to equipment suppliers instead | Out |
| Vincenzo Guzzo | $100,000 for 50% | Accepted |
Frank Djelaj of Windsor, Ontario, a 24-year-old pizza maker, pitched Sili Handle, asking for $100,000 for 50% of his company. The product is a silicone knife handle attachment designed to maintain constant hand contact and reduce strain during repetitive cutting tasks, developed after Frank Djelaj experienced hand pain from chopping at his pizzeria job. He had invested about $20,000 into the product, including patent-pending legal fees, manufactures the prototypes in Hong Kong, and had around 100 units on hand with an order for 50 more. He had shown the product to four chefs in Windsor and a local restaurant equipment supplier who expressed interest in stocking it.
Manjit Minhas, Lane Merrifield, and Michele Romanow all went out, citing that the business was too early stage and not enough of an opportunity yet for investment. Jim Treliving went out but suggested Frank Djelaj approach equipment suppliers directly rather than seeking investment. Vincenzo Guzzo offered the full ask of $100,000 for 50%, which Frank Djelaj accepted.
Pitch details from CBC’s Dragons’ Den pitch page.
Sili Handle today
- StatusStatus unknownLast checked September 2026
We haven’t confirmed whether Sili Handle is still operating.