Jordan Daykin: The Rise, Fall & Reinvention of a Young British Entrepreneur

exploreclarion123@gmail.com November 26, 2025

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Introduction

Jordan Daykin is widely recognised as one of the most inspiring young entrepreneurs to emerge from the United Kingdom. Known for inventing GripIt Fixings at the age of just thirteen and becoming the youngest entrepreneur to secure investment on Dragons’ Den, Daykin’s story is a powerful example of innovation, resilience, and determination. His journey includes both remarkable accomplishments and challenging downturns, making his biography deeply human, relatable, and insightful for aspiring founders.

Born in England and raised with a strong entrepreneurial spirit, Jordan developed a fascination for solving real-world problems from a young age. His early success in building businesses before even entering adulthood placed him in national and international media attention. Yet, Jordan’s career also reflects the realities of business — growth, pressure, competition, and learning through adversity.

Below is a complete, verified, and easy-to-understand biography of Jordan Daykin, written for both human readers and search-engine understanding (SEO-friendly).

Quick Bio (Table)

Jordan Daykin Biography

Early Life and Background

Jordan Daykin was born in 1995 in Trowbridge, Wiltshire, England. His childhood was shaped by curiosity, creativity, and the desire to build things from scratch. During his formative years, Jordan attended The John of Gaunt School, where his interest in entrepreneurship began to take shape. His parents separated when he was young, and by the age of thirteen, he transitioned into home education, which offered him the space to nurture his entrepreneurial ambitions.

Growing up with his grandparents, Jordan gained practical exposure to tools, DIY tasks, and household repairs. This environment later played a direct role in the invention that changed his life. His early independence and resourcefulness laid a foundation for the business mindset that would soon capture national attention.

Early Entrepreneurial Ventures

Even before reaching his teenage years, Jordan had already started exploring business opportunities. At the age of twelve, he launched his first mini-business selling virtual currency and gaming accounts for an online game. This experience taught him basic marketing, negotiation, and customer communication — skills far more advanced than typical for his age.

A year later, he expanded his entrepreneurial footprint by creating a tutoring service. These small yet impactful ventures helped him understand supply, demand, and the importance of solving problems with value-driven solutions. Jordan became driven by the thrill of creating something from nothing, setting the stage for his major innovation.

Invention of GripIt Fixings

The Problem That Sparked a Solution

At thirteen, Jordan and his grandfather were converting a garage into a bedroom when they encountered a frustrating problem: ordinary plugs would not secure fixtures into plasterboard walls. Instead of giving up, Jordan approached the challenge with creativity and determination. Together, they experimented with designs until they created a new fixing capable of gripping plasterboard strongly and safely.

From Idea to Patent

The product, later known as GripIt Fixings, quickly proved to be a smart, practical innovation. Over the next few years, Jordan worked on improving the design, manufacturing techniques, and securing intellectual-property protection. His early focus on quality and engineering precision played a major role in turning his idea into a viable commercial product.

Business Breakthrough with Dragons’ Den

Entering the Den

In 2014, Jordan appeared on the BBC show Dragons’ Den, showcasing his invention to the panel of investors. His confidence, clarity, and demonstration of a real market need impressed the Dragons.

The Youngest Entrepreneur to Secure Investment

He successfully secured £80,000 investment from Deborah Meaden in exchange for a share in the company. This made him the youngest entrepreneur ever to receive investment on the show at that time. The deal helped him scale manufacturing, expand distribution, and enter major UK retail chains, positioning GripIt Fixings as a strong competitor in the DIY market.

Expansion and Growth

GripIt’s Rise in the UK and International Markets

Following the Dragons’ Den success, Jordan experienced rapid business expansion. GripIt Fixings began appearing in leading retailers, and the brand gained recognition for its reliability and strength. Crowdfunding campaigns further accelerated business growth, enabling new production facilities, job creation, and increased market presence.

Becoming a Public Business Figure

With rising fame, Jordan became a role model for young entrepreneurs. He was invited to speak at events, featured in business magazines, and celebrated as proof that innovation has no age limit. His story was often highlighted as one of the most successful Dragons’ Den outcomes.

Other Business Ventures

Vehicle Preparation Services (VPS)

In 2018, Jordan acquired Vehicle Preparation Services, an automotive labour-supply company. Although the venture was short-lived and eventually closed, it reflected Jordan’s willingness to diversify and explore new business opportunities. He took on leadership responsibilities, learning the complexities of managing a large workforce across multiple locations.

Transition Away from GripIt

In 2019, Jordan stepped down from his role in the company behind GripIt Fixings. His departure marked a major turning point, as he moved away from the business that defined his early success.

Career Overview and Latest Known Work

A Journey of Success and Learning

Jordan Daykin’s career is a blend of innovation, resilience, and adaptation. While his initial breakthrough was extraordinary, he also faced the real-world challenges that many entrepreneurs encounter. His story is often shared not only for the success he achieved but also for the lessons gained through later difficulties.

Current Publicly Known Role

After 2019, Jordan shifted his focus towards business advisory work and supporting other entrepreneurs. He remains known for his inspirational speeches and entrepreneurial guidance, sharing insights from his personal journey.

Legacy and Impact

Jordan Daykin’s legacy lies in his fearless approach to problem-solving and entrepreneurship. As a teenager, he transformed a household inconvenience into a patented innovation that reached national-level markets. His Dragons’ Den success story continues to inspire countless young innovators.

His career demonstrates that innovation often begins at home, and that age is never a barrier to success. Even his setbacks contribute to his legacy, offering valuable lessons on growth, leadership, resilience, and strategic decision-making.

Conclusion

Jordan Daykin’s biography is a story of ambition, creativity, and evolution. From inventing GripIt Fixings at thirteen to becoming a celebrated Dragons’ Den success, his journey reflects both the highs and lows of entrepreneurship. His path shows that true innovation requires courage, adaptability, and the ability to learn from every experience — positive or negative.

Jordan remains an influential entrepreneurial figure whose story encourages others to think differently, act boldly, and pursue their ideas with conviction.

FAQ

1. Who is Jordan Daykin?

Jordan Daykin is a British entrepreneur best known for inventing GripIt Fixings and becoming the youngest person to secure investment on Dragons’ Den.