The Dragon's Den format originated in Japan.
The original Japanese programme was called Money Tigers and was broadcast by Nippon Television. Its central idea was simple: entrepreneurs present business proposals to wealthy investors and seek money in exchange for an ownership stake.
The format was later adapted for several countries, including the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia and Ireland. Although the investors, presenters and branding vary internationally, the pitch, questioning and negotiation structure remain recognisable.
A common mix-up is to assume the format began with the British BBC series because that version became particularly well known in English-speaking countries. In fact, the Japanese programme came first. The American adaptation is known as Shark Tank, while Dragon's Den is the title used by many other versions.