Dragons coined this business as The Most Laid Back Pitch in Den’s History When Teirnan McCorkell walked into the Den in 2019 with PipeEASY, a simple, smart tool to make cutting flooring around pipes easier, he quickly charmed the Dragons. By the end, he secured a £41,000 investment from Sara Davies in exchange for 30% of his company, Solutions Made Easy Limited.
But the business world isn’t always as neat as a well-cut floorboard.
Behind the smooth pitch and optimistic PR lies a story far murkier and more grounded in legal filings than viral clips. What happened after the Den? Is PipeEASY really a seven-figure success? Or is this another case of internet mythmaking?
The pitch went viral. TikTok DIYers praised the tool. Media outlets, like HPM Magazine, and blogs jumped on the success story. Some, like Insider Growth, even claimed PipeEASY’s net worth had soared to over £1 million.
But the business world isn’t always as neat as a well-cut floorboard. Behind the smooth pitch and optimistic PR lies a story far murkier, and more grounded in legal filings than viral clips. What happened after the Den? Is PipeEASY really a seven-figure success? Or is this another case of internet mythmaking?
The Man Behind the Tool: Teirnan’s Tale
Teirnan McCorkell, a humble tradesman from Manchester, is the inventive force behind PipeEASY. A father, self-taught problem solver, and former floor-fitter, he created the tool out of frustration from trying to cut clean finishes around pipes on the job, as noted in HPM Magazine.
“I actually filled the original paperwork out and screwed it up and binned it thinking I’m wasting my time,”
he once admitted in a YouTube Q&A.
“How am I going to go through with this?”
But he did. After two years of trial and error, Teirnan launched PipeEASY Ltd. in 2018 with no team, no sales, just a patent pending and a sketch turned prototype, as reported by Tile and Stone Journal. That journey landed him on Dragons’ Den, where he secured £41,000 from Sara Davies.
As of 2025, Teirnan’s estimated personal net worth is £58,000, per Reality Titbit. It’s not a millionaire figure—but it reflects someone still building, still hustling.
The Deal: A £41K Lifeline—But at What Cost?
Teirnan McCorkell came to the Den asking for £41,000 for 15% equity in his company, as seen in the PipeEASY pitch. The Dragons questioned the market potential. Was this tool for tradesmen or DIYers? Would it scale beyond a “hero product”? Tej Lalvani and Deborah Meaden backed out, citing doubts about its scalability.
But Sara Davies saw something a possible crafting parallel,
maybe a scalable opportunity. She offered the full £41,000, but for 30% equityl. Teirnan accepted immediately, without countering. That sealed a post-money valuation of just £137,000, far from the million-pound projections later touted online.
The deal was officially marked as “Signed” in Dragons’ Den* records.
sShortly after airing, the company changed its name from PIPE EASY LIMITED to SOLUTIONS MADE EASY LIMITED, as recorded by Companies House.
The Paper Trail: Micro Accounts and Missing Reports
If PipeEASY had truly become a £1M+ success, it would show in its filings. Instead, Companies House tells a different story.
From 2019 to 2022, Solutions Made Easy Limited filed “micro company” accounts—used only by businesses with under £632,000 in turnover, £316,000 in assets, and fewer than 10 employees, as defined by GOV.UK. There were no signs of rapid growth, external investment, or Sara Davies (or her company, Crafter’s Companion) taking a direct role as director or controller.
Then, in 2023, things took a turn in Pipe Easy Tool:
- August 2023: Teirnan McCorkell filed a DS01 to voluntarily strike the company off the register.
- August 29, 2023: The First Gazette notice was published, alerting the public to the dissolution.
- September 9, 2023: The strike-off was suspended.
Why? Likely because a creditor objected,often HMRC or a supplier seeking unpaid debts, as explained by Company Doctor. Around this time, the company also failed to file its 2023 annual accounts (due February 2024) and confirmation statement (due July 2023), both still outstanding as of May 2025, per Companies House.
A company with a million-pound valuation doesn’t quietly try to dissolve itself.
The Suspension Mystery: What Went Wrong?
In PipeEASY’s case, the most likely culprit is statutory non-compliance. The company’s overdue filings alone could trigger an HMRC objection, as noted by Company Doctor. Whether debts exist is unclear, but the lack of up-to-date financial transparency raises serious doubts about the company’s health.
In the UK, strike-offs get suspended when someoneoften HMRC objects. The reasons vary:
- Unpaid taxes (like VAT or Corporation Tax).
- Misuse of government loans, like Bounce Back Loans.
- Failure to notify creditors or ongoing legal disputes, per Real Business Rescue.
Whether debts are piling up is unclear-public records don’t spill those details but the lack of financial transparency casts a shadow over the company’s health.
Online Presence vs. Offline Reality
Meanwhile, the PipeEASY tool continues to sell.
The Solutions Made Easy website is active, offering the £29.16 tool kit with 3-5 day UK delivery. It’s also on Amazon UK, with reviews like “Excellent product, so simple to use” from user Andy Moore. Teirnan’s TikTok and YouTube channels buzz with demo videos, DIY tips, and updates, like “New parts coming soon.”
Teirnan’s out there, engaging fans and answering questions. In one YouTube Q&A, he hints at investor letdowns, saying, “I’ve been let down by investors who promised the earth.” His LinkedIn boasts a strong global following, painting a picture of hustle and heart.
So, what’s the deal? Two possibilities:
- Teirnan’s selling the tool outside the company’s structure, maybe as a sole trader.
- Sales are happening, but they’re too small to lift a company bogged down by paperwork and potential debts.
Myth vs. Reality: The Net Worth Claim Debunked
Here’s what we know:
- The only concrete valuation was £137,000 in 2019, based on the Dragons’ Den deal.
- Micro-entity filings show no signs of revenue or assets breaking the £1M mark.
- The 2023 strike-off attempt suggests struggle, not success a thriving £1M+ company doesn’t try to dissolve.
- The suspension points to unresolved issues, likely financial or legal.
There’s zero evidence that Solutions Made Easy Limited is worth over £1 million today. If anything, its net worth could be negligible or negative, especially with overdue filings.
The million-pound claim, floated in some online articles, seems like pure hype—no filings or credible reports back it up.
Still, the PipeEASY tool has fans. Teirnan might be pocketing personal income from sales. But the company that stood in the Den? It’s wrestling with a tougher reality.
Today’s Teirnan: From Founder to Mentor
Today, although the company itself is facing legal limbo, Teirnan remains visibly active. He runs tutorials and product demos on platforms like Facebook and YouTube under @SolsMadeEasy , sharing everything from angle navigation tips to flooring repairs. In one video, he reflects on the bumps in the journey, saying he’d been “let down by investors who promised the earth.”
More than a product founder, Teirnan now positions himself as a relatable mentor to fellow DIYers and budding inventors proof that even when the paperwork gets messy, the passion can still carry on.
From Pipe Dream to Paper Trail
The PipeEASY journey is a modern parable for digital-age entrepreneurship. A viral pitch. A feel-good product. A TV handshake. And then… silence, complications, and a pile of paperwork.
This isn’t a failure it’s just real.
The PipeEASY tool still solves a practical problem for DIYers and tradespeople. But turning a single product into a lasting business is brutal. The early buzz was genuine, but the million-pound myth doesn’t hold up.
To really get post-Dragons’ Den ventures, we can’t just scroll TikTok or browse Amazon. We’ve got to dig into the filings on Companies House. That’s where the truth lives—less flashy, more human, and way more telling.
The Dragon’s Den Pitch, High Stakes in the Den
Tiernan entered the Den asking for £41,000 in exchange for 15 percent equity. His product a templating ruler to cut around pipes and posts was unlike anything on the market.
He demonstrated how the Pipe Easy tool could be used with tiles laminate or wood to make precision cuts around awkward pipework. The tool was designed to save both time and material an issue tradespeople constantly face.
After a solid pitch and live demo he left with a deal from Sara Davies. She offered the full £41,000 but wanted 30 percent equity. Despite initially aiming for Deborah Meaden Tiernan accepted Sara’s offer.
“I hoped Deborah would invest. But Sara made me an offer I couldn’t refuse I’m more than happy about this I can’t really put it into words”
Tiernan
Sara known for her success with Crafter’s Companion saw the commercial potential right away and agreed to help bring Pipe Easy to market.
Pipe Easy Pitch on Dragon’s Den (Quick Info Card)
| Company name | Pipe Easy |
| Product | Pipe Fitting tool |
| Episode | Season 17 Episode 5 |
| Founder | Teirnan Mccorkell |
| Asked for | £41,000 For 15% Equity |
| Final deal | £41,000 For 30% Equity |
| Dragon | Sara Davies |
| Location | Manchester, UK |
What Happened immediately After Dragon’s Den
After the episode aired Pipe Easy experienced a surge in interest. Tiernan launched a full website and began partnering with retailers. The tool which once had zero sales became a favorite among both tradespeople and serious DIYers.
Pipe Easy is now available on Amazon and through specialized retailers like Solutions Made Easy. It retails for £29.16 and includes five interchangeable wedges and an angle finder all packaged in a custom case.
Tiernan also added other innovative tools under the Solutions Made Easy brand helping expand the business and its audience.
“Today we’ve shipped thousands “I hadn’t sold a single unit before the Den”
Tiernan at later interview
Did the Dragons’ Investment Pay Off
On paper, yes—the deal between Teirnan McCorkell and Sara Davies was officially marked “Signed,” with £41,000 exchanged for 30% equity. But in practice, the investment’s payoff remains questionable. There’s no public record of Sara Davies (or her business Crafter’s Companion) taking on a director role, injecting further capital, or actively scaling the business beyond the initial post-show boost.
Without any filings indicating growth beyond micro-entity thresholds, and with the company now under suspended strike-off status, there’s little evidence of the business achieving the returns typically expected from a Dragon-backed venture.
While Teirnan still promotes and sells the tool, and Sara Davies technically owns a share, the promised business expansion appears to have fizzled post-pitch—making this one of those Dragons’ Den investments that looked great on screen but never fully materialized behind the scenes.
Product Reviews, What Are Customers Saying
Pipe Easy has been praised for its accuracy design and time-saving capability. However like all tools it isn’t without critique.
What Customers Love
Makes perfect pipe cuts in minutes
Works with tile wood vinyl and laminate
Saves time and reduces errors on job sites
Common Complaints
Some users say the plastic body feels too lightweight
Beginners may find the setup confusing without watching a tutorial
Not designed for heavy industrial or commercial-grade use
Despite this Pipe Easy maintains a strong average rating and has become a trusted tool in many professional toolkits.
TL;DR
PipeEASY secured a £41K deal on Dragons’ Den, went viral, and was rumored to be worth £1.2M. But company filings show a suspended strike-off, overdue accounts, and no sign of million-pound success. The founder, Teirnan McCorkell, is still selling the tool and building a community online but the business isn’t what the headlines claimed.
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