Erewash inventor age 11 stars on Dragons’ Den
BBC1 viewers saw Max Palfrey wow business moguls including Peter Jones, Sara Davies and Touker Suleyman.
The 11-year-old, who has turned 12 since the show was recorded, came up with the idea of sewing fidget toys called Pop-Its into T-shirt seams – to help soothe those like himself who are neurodivergent and are prone to sensory overload.
The gadgets incorporated into his patented Fidget-T tops are a source of comfort to wearers who also benefit from super-soft fabric. Max's dad Matt accompanied him into the Den – and told how in 2023 they successfully applied to Erewash Borough Council for a research and development grant.
The pair are no strangers to appearing on the telly after ITV’s This Morning last year invited them into the studio to explain how their clothing company Comfa came about.
Sadly the dragons deemed Max's venture too early for investment – but Peter Jones described the youngster as "brilliant". Deborah Meaden nodded as tech guru Steven Bartlett gushed: "Is he not the coolest entrepreneur we've ever seen in the Den?"
Max's dad said of failing to clinch £50,000 for a ten per cent stake in the T-shirt firm: "We got some fantastic feedback." His son said it was great to appear on one of the biggest shows in Britain. Max added: "No matter what disability you have you can always find something you can be good at."
The latest round of R&D grants from Erewash council is seeing more than £100,000 made available to encourage local firms to innovate and create jobs.
The authority will pay two thirds of the bill for coming up with new products, processes and technologies. Firms that agree to meet a third of their project’s costs can be awarded sums of between £5,000 and £20,000.
Cllr Curtis Howard, who is Erewash’s Lead Member for Planning and Regeneration, encouraged businesses to follow Max and his dad’s lead by applying. He said: “Since 2022 we have invested hundreds of thousands of pounds into R&D for local businesses, protecting and creating good, high-skilled jobs.
“We’ve supported everything from unique start-ups to some of the most cutting-edge businesses we have – along with local manufacturers and artisan furniture makers.
“We’ve got money to back our hard workers and innovators here in Erewash – whether you are forging the future, making things with your hands or just making life better for children.”