The British version's investor panel is collectively called the dragons on Dragon's Den.
The title comes from the intimidating image of entrepreneurs entering a room to face wealthy, experienced investors. Each dragon evaluates the proposed business, questions the founder and may offer money in return for an ownership stake.
The animal name differs between international adaptations of the same format. The Japanese original used tigers, while the American version is known for its sharks. In the British programme, however, the established term is dragons.
The dragons are not simply judges awarding a prize. They are potential investors, so their questions typically focus on sales, margins, valuation, intellectual property, competition and the founder's plans for growth.