The British business reality show in which entrepreneurs pitch investors for equity is Dragons' Den.
Dragons' Den is a television format built around face-to-face investment pitches. Entrepreneurs ask a panel of wealthy investors for money and usually offer a percentage ownership stake in return. The investors question the proposal, examine the figures and decide whether to make an offer.
The British programme began in 2005 and is based on a format that originated in Japan. Its title uses “dragons” as a metaphor for powerful investors who may reject a pitch, negotiate its terms or compete with one another. The show is not the same as The Apprentice, where candidates compete in business tasks under an employer's supervision.
A pitcher's proposed valuation does not guarantee that a deal will be completed. Even when cameras show an agreement, later due diligence can affect whether the investment proceeds. That distinction is part of the show's business context, while the canonical title remains Dragons' Den.