Auditions FAQ

Auditions are compelete for Season Seven of Dragons' Den. Any auditions for any potential future seasons of Dragons' Den will be announced in 2013.
1. What should I expect when I arrive at the audition location?

Auditions are public, and the Dragons do NOT attend auditions. Upon arrival, expect to sign up in the order you arrived and wait your turn to pitch your product/idea/business to one or more of the show's producers. The length of time you may wait varies from minutes to hours. Expect the same kind of questions you hear from the Dragons on the show.

2. Will I be reimbursed for costs associated with auditions (ie. Parking? Supplies? Transportation?)

No.

3. If I audition in person, should I submit an application online?

Yes. Ideally you would have already applied online before the audition and printed out your completed application form(s) and Consent & Release form. If not, there will be forms available for you to fill out at the audition locations.

4. How much time do I get to pitch?

You can expect about two to five minutes. There is no hard or fast answer to this, as it varies based on volume, availability and time. If there is a long line of people to get through and the producers feel they need to know more about your product/idea/business, we will contact you after the auditions to find out more.

5. Can I have a private audition? Will the show sign an NDA (Non Disclosure Agreement) to protect my privacy?

No and No. Think of it this way: Dragons' Den is a TV show. If you can't show it to us at auditions, you're probably not ready to show it to the world.

6. What can I bring to auditions?

What would you bring to face the Dragons? Bring yourself! Bring your product! Bring your prototype! Bring examples or samples of what you do. Or if your product/business is physically too large to carry, bring pictures or video, or any form of visual aids so we can SEE what you're talking about. Please DO bring a printed version of your online application, or be ready to fill out an application at the audition. And we recommend a book, a newspaper, or something to keep you busy – it might be a long wait.

7. What should I NOT bring?

PowerPoint presentations or booklets of information/business plans. Think of your audition as a practice run for when you meet the Dragons. On the show the Dragons do not accept business plans, or booklets of information, so at auditions producers won't be interested in seeing those things either. We discourage big technical set ups in case the audition location cannot accommodate them. Never rely on your technical aids. While we appreciate SHOWING vs. TELLING, you should be able to explain your product simply in two to five minutes with or without technical support.

8. Will I find out at auditions if I've been selected?

No. Producers will contact you in the weeks following auditions only if you are selected.

9. Will I receive notification if I am NOT selected for the show?

No. Given the volume of applicants, Dragons' Den staff will only contact those selected to be part of the show's taping.

10. What happens if I am selected?

If selected, you will receive an invitation to come to present directly to the Dragons in our studio located downtown Toronto. You will be given the available dates for an appearance and you are expected to RSVP quickly as spots fill up fast. Dragons' Den will be filmed April 12 through April 16, April 22 through 28, and May 5 through May 12, 2012. Those selected must be available to come to Toronto for one of those dates and will receive plenty more information about what to expect.

11. How many pitchers are selected from auditions?

As many as we can fit in to the filming dates. For the 2011-2012 season currently airing, approximately 250 businesses pitched to the Dragons when the show was filmed. Not all will make it to TV.

12. If I am selected, will the Dragons review my application before I appear in the Den?

No, that would ruin the surprise. You get one chance at a first impression; the only thing the Dragons know before you come down the stairs is your first name and your hometown.