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Brothers Martin and Tomas Rosinski pitched OnlyCat, an AI-powered cat flap that stops cats from bringing prey into homes, on Dragons’ Den on February 12, 2026. The Northumberland-based startup uses a built-in camera to scan cats as they try to enter and locks the door if it detects unwanted animals or objects in their mouths.
You might think a smart cat flap sounds like a simple idea, but OnlyCat has already reached over £2 million in revenue since launching in 2025. The brothers appeared on BBC One seeking investment to expand their manufacturing and global distribution as demand for their product continues to grow rapidly.
This article covers everything you need to know about OnlyCat’s Dragons’ Den appearance, from how the AI technology works to what customers think about the product. You’ll learn about the technical features that set this cat flap apart and how it compares to other pet products that have appeared on the show.
OnlyCat’s Appearance on Dragons’ Den
Brothers Martin and Tomas Rosinski pitched their AI-powered cat flap to the Dragons on Thursday, February 12, 2026, seeking investment to scale manufacturing and expand into new markets. The episode featured all five Dragons evaluating the company’s technology, revenue growth, and expansion plans.
Pitch Highlights
Martin and Tomas Rosinski appeared on Dragons’ Den at 8:00pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer. The brothers presented OnlyCat as a solution to a common problem you face as a cat owner: pets bringing unwanted prey into your home.
Martin Rosinski explained how the idea started with his cat, Jinx. “Jinx is brilliant – but like many cats, she had a habit of proudly bringing home things we didn’t want brought in,” he said during the pitch.
The product uses an AI camera to screen your cat’s entry. When the system detects prey, the flap stays locked and sends you a video alert. You can also control which cats enter your home through microchip-based access.
The brothers highlighted their rapid growth since launching through crowdfunding. Your fellow customers have described OnlyCat as “life-changing” and “worth every penny.” The company now manufactures in the UK and has achieved revenues exceeding £2 million.
Investment and Outcome
The Rosinski brothers sought investment to accelerate manufacturing, expand global distribution, and support their next growth phase. They emphasized OnlyCat’s position as “the fastest-growing startup we’ve ever built.”
Tom Rosinski told the Dragons about the company’s strengthened senior management team. The business now employs engineers, designers, technicians, and software specialists working on the next generation of smart pet technology.
The outcome of the pitch was not disclosed ahead of the broadcast. You would need to watch the episode to see whether any Dragons made an offer and what terms they proposed.
Role of the Dragons
Peter Jones, Deborah Meaden, Touker Suleyman, Steven Bartlett and Susie Ma evaluated the OnlyCat pitch during episode 3 of series 23. Susie Ma joined as a guest Dragon alongside the regular panel members.
Each Dragon would assess different aspects of your investment opportunity. Peter Jones typically focuses on scalability and technology. Deborah Meaden often evaluates lifestyle and pet products. Touker Suleyman examines manufacturing and retail distribution.
Steven Bartlett brings expertise in digital marketing and online growth. Susie Ma offers insights into product development and retail expansion. The Dragons would question the brothers about your customer acquisition costs, profit margins, and competitive advantages in the smart pet technology market.
Origins and Development of the OnlyCat Door
Brothers Martin and Tomas Rosinski created OnlyCat to solve a common problem for cat owners: pets bringing unwanted prey into the home. The product evolved from a personal frustration into a successful startup that now generates over £2 million in revenue.
Inspirational Story Behind OnlyCat
The idea for OnlyCat started with Martin Rosinski’s cat, Jinx. Like many cats, Jinx had a habit of bringing home unwanted “gifts” at inconvenient times.
“Jinx is brilliant – but like many cats, she had a habit of proudly bringing home things we didn’t want brought in,” Martin Rosinski explained. This everyday problem became the spark for creating a solution. Martin and his brother Tomas wanted to develop something that was smart, practical, and genuinely improved cat owners’ lives.
The brothers focused on keeping cats’ freedom while giving you control at your front door. Your cat could still come and go as normal, but you wouldn’t wake up to unwanted surprises anymore.
Product Evolution
OnlyCat uses an AI camera built into the cat flap to screen your cat’s entry. When the system detects prey in your cat’s mouth, the flap stays locked. You receive a video alert showing the blocked attempt.
The flap also supports microchip-based access control. This feature lets you decide which cats can use the door, keeping neighborhood cats out while your own pet moves freely.
The brothers designed OnlyCat to be both functional and stylish. The AI technology needed to accurately identify prey while avoiding false alerts that would frustrate you and your cat.
Crowdfunding and Early Growth
Martin and Tomas Rosinski launched OnlyCat through crowdfunding to validate market demand. The campaign proved successful, allowing the brothers to scale production quickly.
OnlyCat is now the fastest-growing startup the brothers have built, with revenues exceeding £2 million. They manufacture in the UK and ship globally to meet increasing demand.
The company has expanded beyond just the two founders. Martin and Tomas now lead a growing team of engineers, designers, technicians, and software specialists. Customer feedback has been strong, with owners calling the product “life-changing” and “worth every penny.”
Key Features of the OnlyCat Door
The OnlyCat door combines artificial intelligence with practical pet access control to address a common problem for cat owners. The system uses camera technology to scan cats before entry and works with existing microchip systems to manage which pets can use the door.
AI-Powered Prey Detection
The OnlyCat AI-powered cat flap uses a built-in camera that screens your cat each time they try to enter your home. When your cat approaches the door, the AI algorithm analyzes what they’re carrying in real-time.
If the system detects prey like birds or mice, the flap stays locked. This prevents unwanted animals from entering your house. The technology works automatically without requiring you to monitor the door constantly.
The prey detection system was developed after co-founder Martin Rosinski’s cat Jinx repeatedly brought home unwanted gifts. The AI has been trained to recognize various types of prey that cats typically catch.
Microchip and Access Control
Your OnlyCat door includes microchip-based access control alongside the AI camera system. This lets you decide exactly which cats can use the flap to enter or exit your home.
The microchip cat flap technology reads your pet’s existing identification chip. You don’t need to attach any additional collars or tags to your cat. The system recognizes registered pets and grants them access automatically.
You can program multiple cats into the system if you have more than one pet. This gives you complete control over who uses the door while maintaining the freedom cats need to go outside.
App Functionality and Smart Notifications
When the OnlyCat cat flap detects prey and locks your cat out, it sends a video alert directly to your phone. You can see exactly what your cat tried to bring inside and take action if needed.
The video notifications show your cat’s blocked attempt in real-time. This allows you to go outside and help your pet enter without their catch. You stay informed about what’s happening at your door even when you’re not home.
The smart notification system gives you peace of mind. You’ll know your cat is safe outside and can respond quickly to let them in after they drop whatever they caught.
Technical Specifications and Patents
OnlyCat combines camera technology with artificial intelligence to identify when cats carry prey. The system includes both hardware components and intellectual property protections that the Rosinski brothers developed.
Hardware and Design Details
The OnlyCat device works as a modified microchip cat flap with an integrated camera system. The camera captures images of your cat as it approaches the door. AI software then analyzes these images in real time to detect prey like birds or mice.
When the system identifies prey in your cat’s mouth, it locks the flap automatically. You receive a video alert on your phone showing exactly what triggered the lock. This lets you take action right away instead of discovering unwanted animals inside your home later.
The flap still allows your cat to move freely when it’s not carrying anything. It recognizes your pet through standard microchip technology. The camera and AI work together to make split-second decisions about whether to grant access.
Patent Protection and Intellectual Property
Martin and Tomas Rosinski developed patent protection for their innovation. Patent GB2618551 covers the AI-powered prey detection system that sets OnlyCat apart from traditional cat flaps.
This intellectual property protection gives the brothers exclusive rights to their technology. It prevents competitors from copying their specific method of using AI to identify prey at cat flaps. The patent forms a key part of their business strategy as they seek to expand manufacturing and grow international sales.
The IP protection became an important discussion point during their Dragons’ Den appearance. It shows potential investors that OnlyCat has defendable technology in the pet product market.
Customer Feedback and Market Response
OnlyCat owners have shared strong positive reactions to the AI-powered cat flap, with feedback playing a key role in demonstrating product-market fit. The product has attracted attention from both users and industry observers as the company scales toward global distribution.
User Experiences
Cat owners have described OnlyCat using terms like “life-changing” and “worth every penny” according to customer feedback shared in the company’s press materials. These reactions highlight how the product solves a real problem for households dealing with unwanted prey being brought inside.
The AI camera system gives you peace of mind by blocking your cat’s entry when it detects prey. You receive video alerts showing these prevented entries, which helps you understand your cat’s hunting patterns. The microchip-based access control also lets you manage which cats can use the flap.
Martin Rosinski, one of the co-founders, developed OnlyCat after his own cat Jinx regularly brought unwanted items into his home. This real-world testing helped shape the product into something that addresses everyday frustrations cat owners face.
Media and Industry Reactions
The pet product industry has taken notice of OnlyCat’s innovation. Pet Product Marketing highlighted the AI-powered cat flap as a solution designed to stop cats from sneaking unwanted presents through traditional flap systems.
Regional news outlets covered the brothers’ upcoming Dragons’ Den appearance, with The Northern Echo reporting on their pitch to boost manufacturing and grow international sales. The company has already achieved over £2 million in revenue with exponential growth.
Your interest in smart pet technology reflects a broader market trend. OnlyCat ships globally and manufactures in the UK, positioning itself to meet growing demand across different markets.
Comparison with Other Dragons’ Den Products
OnlyCat appeared alongside several other innovations during episode three, with the most contrasting pitch coming from CompoCloset’s waterless toilet system that targeted off-grid living rather than pet care.
Overview of Competing Innovations
OnlyCat secured a deal with Steven Bartlett for £200,000 at 10% equity after generating over £2 million in revenue. The AI-powered cat flap retails at £450 with manufacturing costs of £160 per unit. You can see how this compares to other pitches from the same episode where outcomes varied significantly.
Cubbi, a discount platform for parents, obtained investment from guest Dragon Susie Ma at their requested 10% for £50,000. Craft & Crumb’s baking kits left without any offers. The success rate among these products shows that Dragons respond to businesses with clear revenue streams and scalable technology.
Portable Composting Toilets and Related Products
Richard Peter and Erica Pugh presented their CompoCloset portable composting toilet seeking £100,000 for just 3% equity. Their newest product, the S1 Dry Flush Sealing toilet, targets RV owners, van dwellers, and boat users with waterless and odorless off-grid sanitation.
Peter Jones tested the Cuddy composting toilet during the pitch but found it too small. He offered £100,000 for 20% equity, which the founders rejected outright. Their upper limit was 10%, far below Jones’s ask.
The Dragons identified major concerns with the seven-year timeline to profitability. Deborah Meaden noted that RVs already have plumbed toilets, making market penetration difficult. This contrasted sharply with OnlyCat’s proven sales and immediate market fit.
Frequently Asked Questions
The OnlyCat AI-powered cat flap has generated questions about its technology, market performance, and practical features. Brothers Martin and Tomas Rosinski appeared on Dragons’ Den on Thursday 12 February 2026 to pitch their innovative solution to cat owners.
What unique benefits does the OnlyCat door offer compared to traditional pet doors?
The OnlyCat door uses an AI camera to screen your cat before entry. If the system detects prey like mice or birds, the flap stays locked.
You receive a video alert showing the blocked attempt. This lets you see what your cat tried to bring inside.
The door also supports microchip-based access control. You can choose exactly which cats can use the flap.
Traditional cat flaps let everything through. The OnlyCat gives you control while keeping your cat’s freedom.
How did the OnlyCat door perform in terms of sales and investments on Dragons’ Den?
OnlyCat has reached over £2 million in revenues and continues growing rapidly. The brothers first launched through crowdfunding before scaling up.
They now manufacture in the UK and ship globally. The company has expanded its team with engineers, designers, technicians, and software specialists.
Martin and Tomas sought investment on the show to accelerate manufacturing and expand global distribution. The outcome of their pitch was not disclosed before broadcast.
Are there any special installation requirements for the OnlyCat door?
The OnlyCat door needs power to run its AI camera and locking mechanism. You’ll need to ensure electrical access near your installation location.
The door fits standard pet door openings in doors and walls. You should verify your opening dimensions before purchasing.
Can the OnlyCat door be integrated with smart home systems, as seen on Dragons’ Den?
The OnlyCat sends video alerts to your phone when it detects prey. This notification system connects through your home’s Wi-Fi network.
You can monitor attempted entries remotely. The system shows you what your cat tried to bring inside even when you’re away.
What safety features are included in the OnlyCat door to ensure pet security?
The microchip reader ensures only authorized cats can enter your home. This prevents stray cats or other animals from getting inside.
The AI detection system identifies prey without harming your cat. Your cat simply waits outside until they drop what they’re carrying.
The flap unlocks normally when your cat approaches without prey. This maintains your cat’s ability to come and go freely.
Have there been any notable updates or improvements to the OnlyCat door since its appearance on Dragons’ Den?
OnlyCat launched in 2025 and appeared on Dragons’ Den in February 2026. The company continues developing its next generation of smart pet technology.
The team has grown to include more engineers and software specialists. They’re working on advancing the product as demand increases.
Customer feedback describes the product as “life-changing” and “worth every penny.” This response has helped guide ongoing development priorities.
