We've faced fire of the Dragon's Den

Managing director of Tree of Knowledge Gavin Oattes, who lives in Trinity, will be seen making a pitch for financial support to some of the country's highest-profile entrepreneurs when the BBC programme airs on Monday night.

The Tree of Knowledge team asked the millionaire Dragons - Scot Duncan Bannatyne, Theo Paphitis, Deborah Meaden, Peter Jones and James Caan - to invest 100,000 in their Dunfermline-based firm, in return for a 10 per cent stake.

But Mr Oattes, a father-of-one, is keeping tight-lipped about whether or not he clinched a deal.

"We're telling everyone they will have to tune in at 9pm on Monday to find out," he said. "It was one of the most surreal, exciting, yet terrifying things we have ever done. You go in and you just don't know what to expect. It sounds really silly but it was exactly like it is on the telly."

Mr Oattes, 31, and fellow director Alan Burton, 28, travelled to London in April to record their slot.

The pair spent two-and-a-half hours in the den discussing their plans for the business with the Dragons, and even got them to take part in one of the company's motivational activities, which involves untying a huge knot in multi-coloured skipping ropes.

Tree of Knowledge, which specialises in "using the power of laughter to motivate people", takes its motivational techniques and tricks to businesses as well as primary and secondary schools mainly in Scotland, but the company wanted the Dragons' help and investment as it prepares to attack the English market.

One of the firm's key products is the Apodo, an oddly-shaped, multi-coloured tool kit full of weird and wonderful materials designed to motivate people.

There is an Apodo in around 1400 primary and secondary schools in Scotland. The Tree of Knowledge team felt that the Dragons' support would help with a planned October launch for the business market.

The corporate Apodo features a mixture of items, ranging from skipping ropes to a movie camera, for use in interactive activities designed to motivate bosses and their staff.

Mr Oattes, a former primary school teacher who also does stand-up comedy, added: "I think it's the fun element of what we do that makes us stand out. But while we use entertaining ways to help bring out the best in people, we are a serious business with clear ambitions, which is why we sought the Dragons' support."

The company also hosts Fun@Work days in the unlikely setting of Edinburgh Zoo, where corporate clients enjoy a comical lecture interspersed with fun activities designed to promote positive thinking.

The firm also provides workshops for school pupils, including one called Laugh in the Face of Exams, which helps teenagers "lighten up" before the most testing time of the school year.

Like some other Tree of Knowledge workshops, it features activities such as "moving Polo mints with your mind" and another that involves jumping through hoops.

Tree of Knowledge, based at Dunfermline Business Park, was reformed last year following a six-figure buyout.

The company was recently praised at Holyrood by Labour MSP John Park.