The UK series Dragon's Den is based on the Japanese television programme Money Tigers.
Money Tigers established the central format in which entrepreneurs present business ideas to a panel of wealthy investors. The investors question the presenters about sales, valuation, ownership and plans for growth before deciding whether to make an offer. That structure was adapted for the BBC and then licensed in many other countries.
The programme is often compared with Shark Tank because both shows feature entrepreneurs seeking investment from a panel. Shark Tank is not, however, the direct source of the British format. The British title uses “dragons” as its investor metaphor, while different countries have used other animal names and localized titles.
Knowing the original format helps explain why the UK programme is part of a much wider television franchise rather than a completely independent BBC creation. Its business-pitch framework has remained recognizable across adaptations.