Money Tigers is the Japanese television format adapted into the UK series Dragons' Den.
The format originated in Japan as Money Tigers, known there as Money no Tora. Entrepreneurs present business proposals to wealthy investors, who question the idea and decide whether to provide capital in return for an ownership stake.
The BBC's British version changed the investor branding to “Dragons,” creating the title Dragons' Den. In other countries the same underlying format has often used shark imagery or different local titles, which is why viewers may incorrectly identify Shark Tank as the original source.
The international success of the concept comes from its simple structure: a timed pitch, direct questioning, negotiation and a possible investment. Local versions vary in panel, currency and business culture, but retain the central entrepreneur-versus-investor setup.