The UK version of Dragons' Den first aired in 2005.
The BBC launched the British adaptation on BBC Two, following the success of the Japanese business-pitch format Money Tigers. The programme gives entrepreneurs a short presentation to potential investors, who can offer their own money in exchange for an equity stake.
The first series introduced the format to British viewers with an original panel that included Peter Jones, Duncan Bannatyne, Rachel Elnaugh, Simon Woodroffe and Doug Richard. Evan Davis presented the early series, helping establish the show's distinctive combination of negotiation, valuation and confrontation.
The UK series has continued through many changes of investors and broadcasters. It is sometimes confused with the US version, Shark Tank, but Dragons' Den is the British title and was first broadcast in 2005.