The UK version of Dragons' Den first aired in 2005.
The BBC adaptation is based on the Japanese format Money Tigers, which was created by Nippon TV. Entrepreneurs present business ideas to wealthy investors, known as Dragons, who may offer money in exchange for equity.
The programme became part of the BBC’s factual-entertainment schedule and helped popularise televised investment pitches in the United Kingdom. Its format combines commercial negotiation with explanations of valuation, ownership, sales and profit.
The British series is sometimes confused with the similarly named Canadian, Australian and Irish versions. Each country has its own investors and broadcast history, so the 2005 date specifically identifies the UK edition. The programme later became closely associated with BBC Two and a succession of investors, including Peter Jones, Deborah Meaden and Touker Süleyman.