Charles Ejogo
Encyclopedia
Charles Ejogo born in London, England, 1976, is a British entrepreneur
. He 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 for his 'Umbrolly' umbrella vending machines.
in Fulham, before going on to read Law at Staffordshire University
, and then History and Politics at Goldsmiths, University of London. His sister, Carmen Ejogo
, is a successful actress.
Ejogo worked in Private Banking for Merrill Lynch
(in New York, and London) and then briefly for Deutsche Bank
before going on to set up Umbrolly .
. 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.
, following the resignation of its CEO. The business still provides consultative services, and overseas sales of its products to new and existing customers.
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.
, 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.
Entrepreneur
An entrepreneur is an owner or manager of a business enterprise who makes money through risk and initiative.The term was originally a loanword from French and was first defined by the Irish-French economist Richard Cantillon. Entrepreneur in English is a term applied to a person who is willing to...
. He is the inventor of the Umbrolly umbrella vending machine. Ejogo appeared on the first episode of the UK television programme Dragons' Den
Dragons' Den (UK)
Dragons' Den is a British television series, hosted by Evan Davis. The format of the show is owned by Sony Pictures and is based on the original Japanese series, which has been sold around the world...
where he 'won' £150,000 funding 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 SchoolLondon Oratory School
The London Oratory School is a Catholic secondary comprehensive school in Fulham, London. The Headmaster is David McFadden. It has around 1,365 pupils. It is not to be confused with The Oratory School, a Catholic boarding school...
in Fulham, before going on to read Law at Staffordshire University
Staffordshire University
Staffordshire University is a university with its main campus based in the city of Stoke-on-Trent, and with other campuses in Stafford, Lichfield and Shrewsbury.- History :...
, and then History and Politics at Goldsmiths, University of London. His sister, Carmen Ejogo
Carmen Ejogo
Carmen Elizabeth Ejogo is a British actress, currently based in the United States.-Early life:Born and raised in London, Ejogo is the daughter of Charles and Elizabeth Ejogo née Douglas. Her father is a Nigerian entrepreneur and her mother a Scottish tour guide. During her childhood, Ejogo...
, is a successful actress.
Ejogo worked in Private Banking for Merrill Lynch
Merrill Lynch
Merrill Lynch is the wealth management division of Bank of America. With over 15,000 financial advisors and $2.2 trillion in client assets it is the world's largest brokerage. Formerly known as Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc., prior to 2009 the firm was publicly owned and traded on the New York...
(in New York, and London) and then briefly for Deutsche Bank
Deutsche Bank
Deutsche Bank AG is a global financial service company with its headquarters in Frankfurt, Germany. It employs more than 100,000 people in over 70 countries, and has a large presence in Europe, the Americas, Asia Pacific and the emerging markets...
before going on to set up Umbrolly .
Dragons' Den
In 2005, Ejogo won the first ever episode of the British version of the "business reality" television programme Dragons' DenDragons' Den (UK)
Dragons' Den is a British television series, hosted by Evan Davis. The format of the show is owned by Sony Pictures and is based on the original Japanese series, which has been sold around the world...
. 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
Peter Jones (entrepreneur)
Peter Jones, CBE is a British entrepreneur and businessman with interests in mobile phones, television, media, leisure, and property. He became a television celebrity through his appearances on the BBC Two show Dragons' Den and on his American television show American Inventor...
, 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 InternationalPhoto-Me International
Photo-Me International plc based in Bookham, Surrey operates photobooths. It became a plc in 1963 and has built operations in several countries including Japan, Philippines, Germany and France in addition to the UK...
, following the resignation of its CEO. The business still provides consultative services, and overseas sales of its products to new and existing customers.
Awards
Ejogo was awarded the 'Innovator of the Year' award by the Department of Trade and IndustryDepartment of Trade and Industry
The Department of Trade and Industry was a United Kingdom government department which was replaced with the announcement of the creation of the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform and the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills on 28 June 2007.-History:The...
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 LibraryBritish Library
The British Library is the national library of the United Kingdom, and is the world's largest library in terms of total number of items. The library is a major research library, holding over 150 million items from every country in the world, in virtually all known languages and in many formats,...
, 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
London School of Economics
The London School of Economics and Political Science is a public research university specialised in the social sciences located in London, United Kingdom, and a constituent college of the federal University of London...
, Bristol University, and numerous schools across the UK.