Plantaform Lands a Deal on Dragons' Den
Plantaform — a Canadian company building the Plantaform Smart Indoor Garden with NASA-inspired fogponics — landed a deal on Dragons’ Den Canada. On the Season 19 episode, entrepreneur and investor Michele Romanow offered a $400,000 investment for 5% equity, plus royalties, and CEO Alberto Aguilar accepted on the spot. Watch the pitch on the CBC Dragons’ Den pitch page.
"Nous sommes ravis d'accueillir Michele en tant que partenaire stratégique. Son expertise en matière de fabrication et de distribution nous sera précieuse pour développer nos activités et conquérir de nouveaux marchés" - Alberto Aguilar, PDG de Plantaform.
Plantaform’s Pitch: Bringing Innovation to the Dragons’ Den
In Plantaform’s Dragons’ Den pitch, now on the CBC Dragons’ Den Season 19 site, Alberto Aguilar, Co-Founder and CEO of Plantaform, stepped onto the stage fully embracing the futuristic vision of the brand. Wearing a space helmet, he made a dramatic entrance before unveiling the Plantaform Smart Indoor Garden — described on the show as the first home-growing system to use NASA-developed fogponics technology.
The stage was set with multiple Plantaform Smart Indoor Gardens, cascading fog, and a presentation showcasing Plant Packs, Nutrients, and Accessories.
A Modern Take on Home Gardening
Alberto introduced the egg-shaped Plantaform Smart Indoor Garden — a minimalist, modern indoor garden designed to grow herbs and greens at home with less day-to-day fuss. The garden holds up to 15 plants in three horizontal rows of five, uses soil-free fogponics with full-spectrum red and white LEDs, and has a 2 L top tank and 7 L bottom tank (most gardens need a refill every 2–3 weeks). Harvest any time of day once plants are ready. Plant pods are recyclable and use a soil-free medium.
Highlights include:
- Effortless to use — a fully automated system with a companion app for step-by-step guidance (on the Apple App Store and Google Play)
- Water-efficient fogponics — uses 98% less water than traditional gardening
- Year-round growing — grow herbs, leafy greens and more from a kitchen or living room
Browse Plant Packs such as Leafy Mix, Herb Essentials (Sweet Basil, Thai Basil, Parsley, Oregano and Cilantro) and Cocktail Mix (Mint, Lemon Basil, Dill and Thyme). For setup help, see the Plant Pack Instruction Sheet and Growing Guide.
Yuki Tsunoda Joins the Dragons’ Den Pitch
To emphasize the product’s global appeal, F1 driver and Plantaform ambassador Yuki Tsunoda shared a message with the Dragons. In the video, he explained how Plantaform lets him grow fresh ingredients between races, keeping up with his passion for cooking.
Tasting the Harvest
To experience the product, the Dragons were served a fresh salad and a custom mocktail, with each drink tailored to their preferences using herbs grown in the Plantaform Smart Indoor Garden.
Faire face à la chaleur : la séance de questions-réponses
The Q&A lasted over an hour, with Dragons challenging the scalability of the business. Arlene Dickinson pointed out the difficulties of the industry, noting she had already invested in similar companies.
L'offre de Michele Romanow
After the Dragons weighed in, Michele saw an opportunity and presented an offer tailored to scale Plantaform’s production and reduce costs:
- $400,000 for 5% equity, plus royalties
- Expertise and connections to help lower production costs
Michele’s experience in manufacturing and distribution made her a strong strategic partner on the show. Alberto accepted the deal on the spot — a major milestone for Plantaform.
Quelles sont les prochaines étapes pour Plantaform ?
After the pitch, Plantaform said securing a deal on Dragons’ Den was just the beginning, with a focus on:
- Scaling production to meet demand
- Entering major retail markets in North America
- Expanding internationally, with a focus on the UAE and the Middle East
Plantaform’s mission remains clear: helping people grow their own food more effortlessly at home. If you missed the episode, watch the full pitch on the CBC Dragons’ Den pitch page or via Season 19.
Questions fréquemment posées
When did Plantaform appear on Dragons’ Den?
This article was published February 20, 2025, covering Plantaform’s Season 19 pitch on Dragons’ Den Canada. The pitch page remains on the CBC site.
What deal was announced on the show?
On the show, Michele Romanow offered $400,000 for 5% equity, plus royalties, and Alberto accepted on the spot.
What’s in Herb Essentials vs Cocktail Mix?
Herb Essentials includes Sweet Basil, Thai Basil, Parsley, Oregano and Cilantro. Cocktail Mix includes Mint, Lemon Basil, Dill and Thyme.
How often do I refill the garden?
Most gardens need a refill every 2–3 weeks. The top tank holds 2 L and the bottom tank holds 7 L.
Where can I get setup help?
Visit the Help Center for the FAQ and Growing Guide, start with our Getting Started guide, or email support@plantaform.com.
Ready to Grow?
Whether you first saw Plantaform on Dragons’ Den or you’re discovering it now, we’d love to help you grow. Explore the Plantaform Smart Indoor Garden, pick your first Plant Packs, find a retailer via Find Plantaform, visit the Help Center, or reach us anytime at support@plantaform.com.
