In the British TV series Dragons' Den, which Japanese programme inspired the format?

The British TV series Dragons' Den was inspired by the Japanese programme Money no Tora.

Money no Tora, whose title is commonly translated as Money Tigers, established the central idea later used by Dragons' Den: entrepreneurs present business plans to a panel of wealthy investors and seek funding in exchange for equity. The Japanese programme aired before the format was adapted internationally.

The UK version changed the investor nickname from tigers to dragons, creating the branding familiar to British audiences. Despite that title change, the basic dramatic structure remained recognisable: a founder makes a pitch, investors ask detailed questions and an offer may be negotiated in the room.

The programme is often mixed up with Shark Tank, the American adaptation of the same broad format. Money no Tora is the Japanese source programme specifically credited with inspiring the international Dragons' Den format.