The wealthy investors on Dragon's Den are commonly called Dragons.
The name comes directly from the programme's title and is used for the panel members who listen to entrepreneurs' pitches. Each Dragon can question a founder, make an offer, decline to invest or sometimes negotiate with another Dragon over a deal.
The terminology differs across international versions of the format. The US adaptation Shark Tank calls its investors sharks, while the original Japanese programme was known as Money Tigers. These labels describe equivalent roles but are not the British show's official nickname.
The Dragon identity is also part of the programme's visual branding. Entrepreneurs typically face the panel together, although individual Dragons may leave the negotiation if they are not interested or if another investor takes the lead.