Entrepreneurs are commonly given three minutes to make the opening pitch in Dragon's Den.
That short opening window is one of the programme's defining production rules. A contestant must explain the product or service, state the amount of money requested, and specify the equity offered before the dragons begin their detailed questioning. The format turns the opening pitch into a concise test of preparation and communication.
Three minutes does not mean the entire appearance lasts only three minutes. Dragons can question entrepreneurs for much longer after the initial presentation, asking about revenue, costs, margins, valuation, ownership and future plans. Television editors may also shorten or rearrange the material shown in the broadcast episode.
The duration is sometimes confused with the time allowed in other pitch competitions or with the length of an edited television segment. It describes the commonly stated opening pitch limit in the British format, not a guarantee that every televised item follows identical timing in every series.