Dragon's Den is the British adaptation of the Japanese business-pitch television format Money Tigers.
Money Tigers established the core idea of entrepreneurs presenting businesses to wealthy backers who could offer capital in return for equity. The concept was later adapted for television audiences in several countries, with local names, presenters and investor panels.
The British title uses “Dragons” rather than “tigers” to describe its investors. That terminology is part of the UK version's identity, while the basic dramatic structure remains familiar: a pitch, questioning, negotiation and a decision.
Shark Tank is a related adaptation used in the United States, but it is not the Japanese programme from which the British series developed. The distinction matters because several international versions use different animal-themed titles.