Thousands of entrepreneurs have made their way into the Den to promote their product to the Dragons, hoping to walk away with a lucrative investment. While not everyone manages to secure an investment, there are certain things contestants can do to make sure they set themselves apart from others.

Cousins Issa and Ash Patel appeared on this year's series of and were hoping to impress the panel with their high-absorption melt in the mouth vitamins. Their family business, Diso, which they launched in 2023, sells dissolvable multivitamin strips which eliminates the need to swallow large tablets or dissolve them in water.

Ash and Issa received positive feedback from the dragons, but didn't end up securing an investment. Despite this, their appearance was met with high praise from viewers and the pair have seen their business sales catapult since starring on the BBC programme.

Sharing his top tips for standing out, Issa said: "I think just be yourself. Don't change who you are for someone else. Authenticity goes a long way. The feedback we got from the dragons was that they really liked us and who we are and what we stand for.

"I think that shone because we were true to ourselves and didn't put on a facade and try to be something that we're not. I think that's why the public reacted so positively to us. So I'd say just be yourself and be authentic."

Ash added: "Knowing about your product inside and out and also understanding the finance and commercial side of things, because they do ask you everything so it's very important.

"You've seen it many times on the show where someone comes on and they start struggling with questions they get faced with. I know it seems obvious but make sure you know everything."

Last year, Jayne Sibley and her husband Martin Orton appeared on the programme to pitch their business, Sibstar, a debit card and mobile app designed to support those financially vulnerable.

The entrepreneur, who hails from Winchester, created Sibstar while caring for her mum, who suffers from dementia. Jayne explained how she watched her mother spend her life savings on things she didn't need, prompting her decision to launch the app in 2023.

, who said the app could "transform lives". Explaining what contestants need to do to stand out, Jayne said preparing as much as you can for the pitch is key to walking away with an investment.

She said: "Knowing your stuff. I have never prepared for anything more in my life. Rehearsing, not just that three minute pitch but literally word for word. We were reciting it round the house, even the kids could repeat it back to us.

"My husband was walking around with this piece of paper with all of his financial data on it and my son would be testing him. Preparing for the outcome of a yes and no is probably really important."

Jayne continued: "We hadn't prepared for a no, and when we were in there, the Dragons started saying no and my stomach just dropped. We were not at all prepared for this to not go our way and I remember looking at Martin and thinking, 'What are we going to do?' And then luckily Deborah saved us."

She added: "That self belief, determination, that unshakeable belief in your business has absolutely got to be your drive. That is what is going to help you stand out in the den and instill that confidence in them.

Another businesswoman who appeared on this year's series was Katriona Shovlin. The 32-year-old set up Hen Weekend Chicken Boarding from her home in Upchurch, Kent, in 2023.

The all-inclusive hen hotel, which also welcomes ducks, promises the animals a five-star stay whilst their owners are away. Although she didn't receive an investment, and business.

Like Ash and Issa, Katriona believes being yourself is the key to succeeding. "Just be yourself. It's got me this far. I suppose on such an unconventional business in some people's eyes, it's different but if you've got something you believe in, just show them your passion," she explained.