The managing director of VeryPC applied to the programme last year and was given the chance to present his case in February before the panel of Deborah Meaden, Duncan Bannatyne, James Caan, Peter Jones and Theo Paphitis.

He was seen asking for financial support to take forward his plans to expand his already growing PC build, supply and service company.

He was ultimately unsuccessful in charming the millionaires but has since enjoyed dramatic success and acclaim for his PCs, being seen as some of the most eco-friendly in the world.

Says Peter Hopton: "We didn't get any money from the dragons, they didn't like the ethical exit strategy offered and tried to pick at straws. Peter Jones said some ridiculous things about a certain type of computer not using any electricity at all! Deborah said that using less energy wasn't green.

"The whole experience was rather strange, being cooped up in a room for two days being fed nothing but sugar and coffee, your heart racing every time the producer walked in to get a new contestant."

Since the filming of the show VeryPC has been recognised in major national publications and has attracted interest from a number of parties.

"Since the dragons turned us down we've had private investment and grown significantly. Our green computing message is going far and wide. The dragons may know a thing or two but they don't always get it right – as we at VeryPC have proved."

Last year VeryPC were named PC Pro Environmental Innovator of the Year.

The company claims that switching to just one Green PC is equivalent to planting 12 trees to remove CO2 from the atmosphere, while switching to just one VeryPC server is equivalent to planting 218 trees.

Very PC also produces a GreenHive, which is a cluster/network of PCs which would be equivalent to planting 129 trees.

Hopton thinks that the venture capitalists on Dragons' Den may have been baffled by the idea of a PC actually saving energy. Very PC has spent several years developing their energy-saving IT equipment that is now attracting interest from global companies.

"A PC is like any other energy using machine. It requires power which in turn means CO2 emissions. If, as we have proven, you can cut down the power usage without losing the capacity or capability of the PC, we can tackle huge power wastage and still have efficient 21st century technology – its' a shame that these bright sparks did not spot that opportunity but that could very well prove to be their loss," said Peter Hopton.

VeryPC was launched in 2004, since when it has grown to employ 20 people based at their new offices at Parkwood Business Park, Neepsend, Sheffield.

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