In the UK programme Dragons' Den, the investors who judge entrepreneurs' pitches are called Dragons.
The title is a deliberate metaphor for powerful business figures who can scrutinise an idea and decide whether to invest. Entrepreneurs enter the pitch room, present their product or company, and usually state how much money they want in exchange for a percentage of the business.
The term is part of the UK show's identity rather than a generic name for all investors. In the United States adaptation, the investors are called Sharks, while other national versions use their own branding. The people on the panel are investors as well as television personalities, but “Dragons” is the canonical programme-specific label.
Contestants may receive an offer from one Dragon, several Dragons, or none. An offer is not automatically a completed investment: further checks and negotiations can take place after filming.