Manchester-based DiscreteHeat Company Ltd (DiscreteHeat) has received a £250,000 Export Loan from GC Business Finance (GCBF), some years after being rejected by the dragons on the hit BBC show, Dragon's Den.

DiscreteHeat is a growing family-owned business, manufacturing a unique, patented alternative to radiators and underfloor heating. The business has developed a skirting board that doubles up as a radiator, that creates more useable wall and floor space, whilst allowing boilers to run more efficiently, meaning the product is compliant with housebuilder and developer sustainability targets.

The trademarked product, ThermaSkirt, was originally launched on BBC's Dragon's Den, and allows heat pumps to be fitted into both new build and refurbishment properties, with more than 75,000 systems being installed over the last 15 years. Despite being rejected by the Dragons on the day, James Khan subsequently got in touch with an offer that the business declined.

Now, DiscreteHeat is on track to hit £80m turnover in the next five years, driven by strong product demand from businesses looking to achieve net zero status, particularly within the housebuilding sector.

With the pressure mounting on housebuilders and developers to work more sustainably, many of the largest firms in the UK are looking to use DiscreteHeat's ThermaSkirt, as opposed to larger, more complicated radiators or underfloor heating options.

With ambitions to grow internationally, DiscreteHeat approached GC Business Finance, which provided the £250k Export Loan. The facility supported the business in making key hires and investing in new products, enabling DiscreteHeat to meet the requirements of export markets to drive overseas growth.

DiscreteHeat is now working towards capturing five percent of the European emitter market, and three per cent of the USA emitter market, which will give the business a turnover of around £300m in the next 10 years. This growth will create new jobs, and promote further growth for the business.

Martin Wadsworth, Founder and Managing Director of DiscreteHeat Company Ltd, said:

"After being rejected by the dragons, we wanted to make sure DiscreteHeat would be hugely successful. Now, we have a patented product that has some of the biggest housebuilders and developers knocking on our door.

"We want to start taking over the European and American markets, and grow the business internationally, so we reached out to GC Business Finance for an export loan, and the quick turnaround meant we have been able to make key hires and investments to begin this next stage of growth."

Andy Nichols, Senior Loan Manager at GC Business Finance, added:

"It is really exciting to see the success DiscreteHeat is having, especially given the product offering has such a strong, positive environmental impact.

"It's really important to give Greater Manchester-based businesses the opportunity to shine on a global stage, supporting with finance during their international expansion journey. It has been great to work with Martin and the team to do exactly this, and I look forward to seeing DiscreteHeat's future successes. Dragon's Den's loss is GC Business Finance's gain."