In the British Dragon's Den format, what does an entrepreneur usually offer in return for investment?

In the British Dragon's Den format, an entrepreneur usually offers equity in the business in return for investment.

Equity means an ownership stake in a company. During a pitch, an entrepreneur states how much money is wanted and what percentage of the business is being offered. The Dragons then assess the valuation, sales, costs, growth prospects and the founder's ability to execute the plan.

A Dragon may make an offer for the stated percentage, seek a larger share, or join another Dragon in a combined deal. A televised agreement is not always completed after filming, because due diligence can reveal issues or the parties may fail to finalise the contract.

This structure distinguishes Dragon's Den from a grant competition. The money is presented as business investment, and the entrepreneur may give up ownership and decision-making influence in exchange for capital and expertise.