A SOLIHULL self defence business has gained a £25,000 investment on Dragons’ Den.
In the first episode of the latest BBC series, which aired on January 29, Gulshen Bano, from Solihull, went into the den looking for financial backing for Strike Back Self Defence – a women-led organisation focused on teaching women and girls practical self defence skills designed to increase awareness, confidence, and personal safety.
After telling her personal story behind setting up the business and a demonstration of techniques taught to participants entrepreneur Jenna Meek offered £25,000 investment for 10 percent equity in the business.
Gulshen Bano said: “Fear has quietly become part of everyday life for women and girls.
“Most young women experience harassment, and many no longer feel safe walking alone after dark. Being on Dragons’ Den mattered because it took that reality out of the margins and into millions of living rooms.
“It created a national conversation about prevention, not blame. Having Jenna on board means we can now turn that visibility into action.
“This £25,000 investment allows us to reach more women and girls, train more instructors, and expand globally so safety does not depend on luck, location, or circumstance.”
Strike Back currently operates across seven countries, with 15 franchises and 35 instructors, and has recently established a new licence in India.
The investment from Jenna Meek will support international expansion, instructor training, and wider access to skills based safety education at a time when fear and harassment are shaping how many women and girls move through the world.
Strike Back says the deal marks a significant milestone for the women led organisation and signals growing recognition that prevention focused safety education deserves serious investment.
