The UK television show Dragon's Den was based on the Japanese format Money Tigers.
Money Tigers was a Japanese reality business programme that provided the format's central idea: entrepreneurs present business proposals to wealthy potential investors and negotiate for funding. The title refers to the investors, rather than to a literal dragon-themed television concept.
The format was later adapted in several countries. The UK version began on BBC Two in 2005 and used the name Dragon's Den, while many other editions retained titles connected with the word “dragon.” The international franchise is therefore often confused with the UK programme itself, even though the UK series was an adaptation rather than the original production.
The format's appeal comes from its simple structure: a short pitch, questioning from investors, and a possible offer involving money and a percentage of the business. A proposal can receive no offer, one offer, or several competing offers.