In Dragon's Den, the investors who question entrepreneurs and may fund their businesses are called the Dragons.
The title uses the image of powerful, intimidating business figures guarding their wealth. Entrepreneurs enter the den, make a pitch and answer questions about sales, profit, ownership and future plans. Each Dragon can then make an offer, ask for a percentage of the company or decline to invest.
The word is part of the programme's branding rather than a formal financial classification. In ordinary business language, the panel members are investors, entrepreneurs and businesspeople. Some are described more specifically as angel investors when they provide personal capital to early-stage companies.
The show is adapted internationally, with many versions retaining a translation or variation of the Dragon name. That shared terminology connects the British programme to the broader format.