Money Tigers is the Japanese business-pitch format that inspired the UK television show Dragon's Den.
The British series is part of an international television format created by Nippon TV in Japan. In the original concept, entrepreneurs present their business proposals to wealthy investors and try to obtain capital in return for a stake in the company. The Japanese title is translated as Money Tigers.
The format spread internationally under the Dragon's Den name, while the United States used the title Shark Tank. Although the investor animals differ by territory, the central dramatic structure is similar: a timed pitch, detailed questioning, and a possible negotiation over valuation and equity.
A common mistake is to describe Dragon's Den as an entirely British invention. The BBC version is British in production and presentation, but its underlying format was imported and adapted. The Japanese origin explains why several countries have versions with different titles and investor panels.