In the UK television show Dragons' Den, an entrepreneur's initial pitch usually lasts three minutes.
That opening presentation gives the entrepreneur a short opportunity to explain the product or service, state the amount sought, and propose an equity share. The Dragons then ask questions about sales, costs, intellectual property, competition, and the founder's valuation.
The three-minute limit is part of the show's recognisable dramatic structure. It forces contestants to communicate the essential commercial facts quickly before the questioning begins. The pitch is only the starting point: the negotiations that follow can last much longer and may involve revised offers or several Dragons working together.
The time limit should not be confused with the total length of a filmed pitch. Editing, questioning, negotiations, and reactions extend well beyond the entrepreneur's initial presentation.