How long is the standard initial pitch on the UK television show Dragons' Den?
Answer
Three minutes
The standard initial pitch on the UK television show Dragons' Den lasts three minutes.
Entrepreneurs begin by entering the pitch area and presenting their business to the Dragons. The short opening presentation is designed to give the investors the essential proposition: what the product or service is, how much money is wanted, and what share of the company is being offered.
After the opening pitch, the Dragons can question the entrepreneur in much greater detail. They may ask about sales, margins, intellectual property, manufacturing, valuation and future plans. The questioning can therefore last far longer than the initial presentation.
The three-minute limit is a feature of the programme's format, not a rule that governs every real-world investment pitch. Broadcast edits can also affect how the complete exchange appears on screen.