In Dragon's Den, the investors commonly call themselves dragons.
The title gives the programme's panel its central nickname. Each dragon is a successful businessperson or investor who listens to pitches and decides whether the proposed company merits funding. Their role combines financial analysis, negotiation and judgement of the entrepreneur's ability to execute the plan.
The nickname differs across international adaptations. The US version uses sharks, while the original Japanese format used tigers. That is why viewers familiar with Shark Tank can sometimes use the wrong animal when describing the British series. In the UK programme, “dragon” is the established term used in the title and throughout its publicity.