What does an entrepreneur usually offer the dragons in exchange for investment on the British show Dragons' Den?

On the British show Dragons' Den, an entrepreneur usually offers equity in the business in exchange for investment.

Equity means an ownership stake. For example, a founder may ask for a stated amount of money and offer a percentage of the company in return. The dragons then assess whether the proposed valuation is reasonable and may accept, reject or negotiate the terms.

This structure makes the programme different from a conventional loan application. An investor who receives equity can benefit if the company grows, but also risks losing the money if the venture fails. The entrepreneur avoids immediate loan repayments but gives up part of the ownership and potentially part of future profits.

Pitches can involve more complicated arrangements, including multiple investors or changes to the proposed percentage. Nevertheless, equity is the standard answer because the show's central negotiation concerns ownership of the pitched business.