The British television series Dragons' Den began broadcasting in 2005.
The BBC introduced the programme during 2005 as a British adaptation of a Japanese business-pitch format. Entrepreneurs entered the den to seek money and expertise from investors, commonly called Dragons, while offering part of their business in return.
The date is sometimes confused with the launch years of other versions, particularly the Canadian and Australian adaptations. It is also easy to confuse the first broadcast year with the years when later Dragons joined the panel. The British programme has had several panel changes, but those changes occurred after the original series established the format.
Since 2005, the series has helped popularise televised investment negotiations in the United Kingdom. Its enduring appeal comes from the clear stakes: founders must explain their product, financial figures, requested investment, and proposed valuation under intense questioning.