In the British television series Dragon's Den, entrepreneurs usually offer investors equity in return for money.
Equity means an ownership stake in the business. During a pitch, an entrepreneur normally states how much investment is wanted and what percentage of the company is being offered. The Dragons then assess whether the proposed valuation appears reasonable and whether the potential return justifies the risk.
A deal can change during negotiation. An investor may request a larger percentage, offer less money, or join another Dragon in a shared investment. A televised agreement is also subject to due diligence, so an apparent deal is not always completed after filming.
Equity is different from a salary, loan or franchise fee. The investor receives ownership rather than simply being paid for work or lending money at an agreed interest rate.