The first series of the British television programme Dragon's Den began airing in 2005.
The BBC launched its UK adaptation of the business-investment format in 2005. Entrepreneurs entered a studio and presented proposals to wealthy investors, asking for money in exchange for a percentage of their companies. The format had already been developed in Japan as Money Tigers.
The first British series established the core structure that remains familiar: a pitch, questioning from the panel, negotiation over valuation and equity, and the possibility that one or more Dragons might make an offer. Adrian Chiles hosted the opening series.
The 2005 launch is sometimes confused with later changes to the panel or with the first broadcasts of international versions. Dragon's Den is a continuing television series, so its panel, presenter and production details have changed while the basic format has remained stable.