A Dragon's Den pitch is limited to three minutes before the investors question the entrepreneur. This short opening gives the contestant time to introduce the business, explain the opportunity and request a precise investment for a stated share of the company.
After the initial presentation, the Dragons ask questions about sales, costs, ownership, valuation and the entrepreneur's plans. The edited programme can make the opening seem shorter or longer because filming includes pauses, repeated questions and negotiations that are later cut for broadcast.
The three-minute limit is a format rule rather than a claim that every televised segment lasts exactly three minutes. Contestants may also demonstrate products during that opening. The rule creates a common starting point, allowing the panel to compare very different businesses before deciding whether to continue the discussion.