Who are Zara Paul and Aaron Morris the founders of Choppity from Dragons’ Den?
DRAGONS’ Den is back on BBC One to showcase some of the best entrepreneurs hoping to gain an investment.
Among them are Zara Paul and Aaron Morris who will appear before the Dragons on Thursday, January 16, 2025, at 8pm.
Who are Zara Paul and Aaron Morris?
Zara Paul and Aaron Morris are the founders of a North East-based video editing platform, Choppity.
They married in 2022, having been together since 2019.
The couple began Choppity in a bid to simplify the video-editing process for podcasters and businesses.
Choppity is already used in production by companies such as ITN, Autotrader, Turtle Bay, and Sonatype.
On the official website the couple introduce themselves in a bio that reads: “Hello! We’re Zara and Aaron, both 24, married and co-founders.
“With backgrounds in video editing, automation, and computer science, we’re passionate about making video editing simpler, smarter, and more accessible for everyone.
The pair both graduated from Durham University with a degree in Computer Science.
According to LinkedIn both Zara and Aaron have experience of working with virtual AI.
Breaking barriers
Zara is the first openly non-binary contestant on the show.
In 2024, Zara shared on LinkedIn: “I am, and always have been, non-binary, polyamorous, and pansexual.
“I’ve reached a point in my life where I want to feel like myself in all contexts.
“One of the reasons I chose the startup life was to have the ability to tailor my work and environment to my needs, and this is what I’m doing now.
“This decision is significant for me, and I am newly committed to living authentically, both personally and professionally.”
Meeting the Dragons
Before appearing on the show, the pair revealed that they were looking to impress Steven Bartlett.
And Zara shared hopes that their appearance would “inspire others.”
The entrepreneur said: “The startup world, and the media more broadly, often feel bare of LGBTQ+ representation, especially for gender non-conforming and trans founders.
“I hope this moment inspires others to pursue their ambitions and know they belong here too.”
Aaron shared their excitement about featuring on the show: “Dragons’ Den was surreal!
“I’m super happy that I can finally talk about this.
“Funnily, pitching on Dragons’ Den was our first time actually pitching to investors.
“Just me, Zara, five famous business people and about 9000 production crew members – super chill.
“I’m kind of curious to hear what people think, especially as tech products aren’t so common on the show.”
Who are the Dragons this series?
There will be five full-time Dragons offering investment and advice in the 2025 series of Dragon’s Den.
Here are the panel:
- Deborah Meaden – leisure and hospitality expert.
- Peter Jones – serial entrepreneur with multiple interests from technology to food and publishing.
- Steven Bartlett – health and wellness investor and host of the UK’s most listened to podcast, The Diary of a CEO.
- Touker Suleyman – retail and manufacturing tycoon.
- Sara Davies – businesswoman and TV personality.
How can I watch Dragon’s Den?
Zara and Aaron’s episode airs on Thursday, January 16, 2025, at 8pm on BBC One.
The same episode will feature Doughboys Pizza founders Luke & Owen Buckmaster.
You can also watch on BBC iPlayer.
Dragons' Den stars - past and present
Dragons' Den has been on our screens since 2005 and sees entrepreneurs enter the Den to try and win investment for their businesses from the Dragons.
Over the years there have been many wealthy investors sitting in the famous seats, here’s a rundown of them all and how long they were on the show for.
- Peter Jones – series 1 – present
- Deborah Meaden – series 3 – present
- Touker Suleyman – series 13 – present
- Sara Davies – series 17 – present
- Steven Bartlett – series 19 – present
- Duncan Bannatyne – series 1 – 12
- Rachel Elnaugh – series 1 and 2
- Doug Richard – series 1 and 2
- Simon Woodroffe – series 1
- Theo Paphitis – series 2 -10
- Richard Farleigh – series 3 and 4
- James Caan – series 5-8
- Hilary Devey – series 9 and 10
- Kelly Hoppen – series 11 and 12
- Piers Linney – series 11 and 12
- Nick Jenkins – series 13 and 14
- Sarah Willingham – series 13 and 14
- Jenny Campbell – series 15 and 16
- Tej Lalvani – series 15 – 18
- Emma Grede and Gary Neville were guest Dragons during series 21.