The first episode of the BBC business show Dragons' Den premiered in 2005.
The British version launched on BBC Two on 4 January 2005. It adapts the Japanese format Money Tigers, in which entrepreneurs present business ideas to wealthy investors and seek funding in exchange for equity.
The programme became a long-running part of British television, later moving from BBC Two to BBC One. Its title refers to the intimidating panel of investors, known as dragons, who question contestants about sales, profit, valuation and ownership.
The British series helped popularise televised investment pitching in the United Kingdom. It also inspired international versions, including editions in Canada, Australia and the United States. The year 2005 identifies the British programme's debut, rather than the launch date of the original Japanese format.