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BBC Dragons' Den getting online-only version

Auntie has announced an online-only version of the investment show, featuring two new Dragons and pitches initially made using video clips uploaded to the BBC's Web site

Nate Lanxon Special to CNET News

After six successful series on TV, the BBC is taking Dragons' Den to the Web in a new online-only format, featuring two brand spanking new baby Dragons and initial pitches for investment made using video clips.

Entrepreneurs looking to snag up to £50,000 of start-up cash are required to record their pitch on video, then upload it to the BBC's Web site, where it will be commented on and rated by the community.

The most "innovative, investment-ready or entertaining" pitches will be selected by the BBC to be seen by the new Dragons. Successful pitches will result in the typical battle of wit, questioning and sweating with the baby Dragons, as per the TV version, but will only be available for viewing on the Dragons' Den Web site.

So who are the cute little baby Dragons, who weren't good enough for the TV version, and who are only offering a fifth of the full-fat edition's £250,000? According to a press release, they're "two of Britain's business high-flyers", whose identities will be revealed in the coming months.

Part of the reason Dragons' Den was popular in the first place was due to the five Dragons' banter and the competitiveness between them. With only two Dragons, two chances to secure investment and a lower limit on how much can be pitched for, can the same atmosphere be captured online? We'll find out when the show launches later this year.