Sometimes all you need to do is to ask and you might receive ten folds. Taltis Foods’ founder and owner entered Canada’s “Dragon Den” seeking $60,000 in exchange for 10% equity in his Jollof rice business. Instead of getting what he asked for, Wes Hall offered him $100,000 in exchange for 33% equity and a $500,000 loan to cater to operational and acquisition costs.
The Cameroonian businessman entered the unscripted television show that lets aspiring Canadian entrepreneurs pitch for investments to an exclusive panel of venture capitalists. All he wanted was an investment in his business. Eventually, he left with 10X of what he wanted.
Taltis Foods Canada Overview
In case you might not know what is happening and you are wondering what Jollof Rice is, there is no judgment there. Here you will learn what Taltis Foods is all about.
Jollof rice originated from West Africa and is normally made up of long-grain rice, onions, tomatoes, vegetables, spices, and meat that are combined and prepared in one pot. The cooking method and recipe may differ depending on the people involved.
Some people say Nigerian dish is better while others insist it is Ghana’s. However, after this investor asked for $60,000 for 10% of his company turned him into accepting a $600,000 offer, one might beg to differ.
Gilles Tchianga, while addressing the investors who are known as “Dragons” on the show, said:
“Many years ago I came to Canada and very soon, I started suffering from homesickness. Twelve years later and I’m living in one of the most multicultural cities in the world and, yet, African products are nowhere to be found. Dragons, today I am about to show you how you can become an African cuisine chef [within] minutes.”
From there, he went on with his demonstration, walking the panelists through a simple but detailed how to properly use his products, known As Taltis Foods Canada. The cuisine features both authentic African foods and beverages.
This is beautiful and emotional.
A Cameroonian in Toronto who walked into Canada’s Dragon Den asking investors $60,000 for his business, but left with $600,000K total funding after investors tasted his Jollof Rice 😄.
His tenacity, industriousness & persistence are admirable. pic.twitter.com/NEDEmCA8ba
— ‘Tunde Omotoye (@TundeTASH) November 8, 2022
An Offer Of A Lifetime
As the saying goes, everything else was history since the investors were blown away after they got to the taste-testing portion of that presentation.
Afterward, the Executive Chairman and Founder of Kingsdale Advisors, Wes Hall, presented him with the offer of a lifetime that was too good to refuse. He offered him $600,000 in funding for his firm, which comprised of:
- $100,000 for 33 percent of the company
- $500,000 as a loan
Tchianga told the group:
“This is a great moment for me, since I came to Canada, I had been dreaming this, I had been dreaming [of] that day when I can have my own business and contribute to the diversity.”
The Dragons had already become teary-eyed from his passion and gratitude for that opportunity.
Video Credit: @cbcdragon pic.twitter.com/vkrSFkze5H
— ‘Tunde Omotoye (@TundeTASH) November 8, 2022
Based on the official website for his company, Taltis Foods combines Canadian ingredients and authentic African spices to create unique tastes for consumers in products that are ready to use with “no preservatives, no refined sugar added, and no MSG.”