Dragon's Den first aired in Britain in 2005.
The BBC launched the British version in 2005 after adapting the Japanese business-pitch format Money Tigers. Entrepreneurs entered the studio to present their companies and funding requests to a panel of wealthy investors, creating the format that later became a long-running fixture of British factual entertainment.
The launch year is separate from the dates when individual Dragons joined or left. The panel has changed across many series, so a Dragon’s arrival date cannot be used as the programme’s premiere date. The presenter and investment panel also have different roles and timelines.
Dragon's Den became part of a large international format family. Other countries produced versions under titles such as Dragons' Den or Shark Tank, but the British programme’s own premiere year remains 2005.