Charles Ejogo
Charles Ejogo (born 1976) is a British entrepreneur who is the inventor of the Umbrolly umbrella vending machine. Ejogo appeared on the first episode of the UK television programme Dragons' Den where he "won" £150,000 funding (£ today) for his "Umbrolly" umbrella vending machines. Early life and career
Born and raised in Chelsea, London, Ejogo is the son of Charles (Snr) and Elizabeth Douglas. His father (now deceased) was a Nigerian entrepreneur and his mother a Scottish tour guide. Ejogo attended the London Oratory School in Fulham, before going on to read Law at Staffordshire University, and then History and Politics at Goldsmiths, University of London. Ejogo worked in private banking for Merrill Lynch (in New York City and London) and then briefly for Deutsche Bank before going on to set up Umbrolly. Dragons' Den
In 2005, Ejogo succeeded in the first ever episode of the British version of the business reality television programme Dragons' Den. In the episode, broadcast on 5 January 2005, his pitch for investment in an umbrella vending machine business resulted in Duncan Bannatyne and Peter Jones making a joint offer of £150,000, which he accepted. Seven months later, the deal collapsed and taking the advice of Dragon Peter Jones, Ejogo set up a new company without his original business partners, allowing him to start afresh. Umbrolly
After the collapse of the deal in the Dragons' Den, Ejogo began working with Seymour Powell to design, and launch a new smaller umbrella vending machine. In October 2007, he secured significant equity investment from Burlington Investment Partners to relaunch the business. Between 2008 and 2010, Ejogo grew the business nationally and internationally with significant growth in France, Germany, the Netherlands, the Republic of Ireland, and the US. In March 2010, the UK arm of the business ceased to trade, when it lost its UK operating partner, Photo-Me International, following the resignation of its CEO. The business still provides consultative services, and overseas sales of its products to new and existing customers. Fraud Accusation
Ejogo later founded Fashion Week Internships, a UK-based company providing internships to students in conjunction with global fashion weeks in London, Paris, New York City, and other cities. Facing challenges in the pandemic, the company was dissolved in January 2021. Many clients reported never receiving a refund. Four days after the dissolution of the first company, Ejogo formed a new business entity with the same industry name of "Fashion Week Internships". The company claimed that because the previous business entity was dissolved, and a new one had been created, Fashion Week Internships was not required to provide reimbursements. That organization folded again in June 2022. Today, Fashion Week Internships is operated by yet another new entity, while dozens of clients are waiting for refunds. Awards
Ejogo was awarded the "Innovator of the Year" award by the Department of Trade and Industry in 2006, winning the BT Vending "Innovation of the Year" award, in the same year. In 2007, his Umbrolly vending machines won runner-up in the "Product of the Year" category for Vending Magazine. Public speaking
Ejogo has spoken at numerous public events including "Winners – The Rise and Rise of Black British Entrepreneurs" at the British Library, and "Coffee, Croissants, and £2,000,000 Investment" in association with Grant Thornton. He also shared the speaking platform with Peter Jones at The Guardian Graduate Fair in 2008. He is a passionate supporter of youth and children's enterprise, speaking at the London School of Economics, Bristol University, and numerous schools across the UK. References

1976 births
Living people
21st-century British businesspeople
21st-century British inventors
English people of Scottish descent
People educated at London Oratory School
People from Chelsea, London
English people of Nigerian descent
Alumni of Goldsmiths, University of London
Alumni of Staffordshire University
Merrill (company) people
Deutsche Bank people