A DRAGONS Den hopeful that studied at Durham University has bounced back from rejection from the hit BBC show after finding a new market for his non-alcoholic beer.

As the 19th series of the TV show continued to inspire business ideas, the fourth episode, which aired last night, saw 24-year-old Mark Wong pitch his alternative beer company - IMPOSSIBREW.CO to Sara Davies, Peter Jones, Deborah Meadon and Touker Suleyman and new Dragon, Steven Bartlett.

The young entrepreneur, who moved to the UK from Hong Kong when he was only 13 and was unable to speak any English, went on to study philosophy at Durham University.

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From the age of 18 he developed a real love for beer and even started taking multiple professional industry exams. However, Mark’s passion took a knock when he was diagnosed with alcohol induced liver damage and was advised to give up alcohol for good.

Despite the impact on his future career, he didn’t want to give up his beloved beer and tried hundreds of non-alcoholic beers in search of the same effect on him, but whilst enjoying the taste, it left him asking ‘what’s the point?’

As a result of the liver diagnosis, Mr Wong made it his mission to find a healthier way to unwind without alcohol, and a journey back home found the answers.

The Northern Echo: The young businessman, who went to Durham University, created a non-alcoholic beer after he was diagnosed with liver disease. Picture: FIT COLLECTIV.The young businessman, who went to Durham University, created a non-alcoholic beer after he was diagnosed with liver disease. Picture: FIT COLLECTIV.

The businessman found the solution when he went back to Asia and discovered a whole new world of functional plants his ancestors would use for medicinal benefits.

Inspired by this discovery, he began brewing beer in this university room using the plant ingredients.

Two years later IMBOSSIBREW was born - beer brewed with plants to help you unwind without the alcohol.

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Just six months into his business journey, Mr Wong was “ecstatic” when he was invited to pitch his business to the BBC One Dragons Den Panel after winning several start up awards.

Despite pitching a detailed document on live TV, none of the Dragons offered any investment into the business, highlighting that the Durham University graduate was ‘too early into his business journey’ and ‘there was too much competition in the Industry’.

However, this hasn’t swayed Mark. Since walking out of the Den empty handed, he has secured almost double the investment and value pitched to the Dragons with two independent Angel Investors.

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The company itself has grown by 930 per cent since launching in 2020 with multiple sell outs and has won a gold awards at the European Beer Challenge beating.

Now, the businessman has since launched a wildly popular Hazy Pale Ale and has extensive plans to expand to the US and further before 2023.

Mr Wong said: “It was a great learning opportunity. I never thought I’d be on Dragon’s Den, let alone being invited to pitch - for that I’m extremely grateful. The comments from the Dragons were very constructive and I didn’t regret a single moment in the Den.

“We’ve only just begun the journey to change the way we drink - and I can’t wait to show them our progress in 3-5 years.”

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