The British television show Dragons' Den first premiered on 4 January 2005.
The programme launched on BBC Two as the United Kingdom adaptation of an international business-pitching format. Entrepreneurs present their companies to a panel of wealthy investors, known as Dragons, and seek money in exchange for an ownership stake. The pitch normally includes a proposed valuation, so the investors can test whether the entrepreneur's requested equity matches the company's claimed worth.
The series became a long-running part of British factual entertainment. Its title uses the image of a dangerous den because entrepreneurs must defend their business ideas under intense questioning. The programme is not the original invention of the format: it was adapted from the Japanese television concept Money Tigers, which later inspired other versions around the world.
A common mix-up is the distinction between the British launch date and the dates of later international adaptations. The British series began in 2005, while its investor panel and presenter changed repeatedly across subsequent series.