Money Tigers is the Japanese television programme that inspired Dragon's Den's pitch format.
The Japanese programme, known as Money Tigers, established the central structure later used by Dragon's Den and related international adaptations. Entrepreneurs present business ideas to a panel of wealthy investors and try to secure financial backing, generally by offering an ownership stake.
The British title uses dragons rather than tigers, while the American adaptation is called Shark Tank. These different names can obscure their shared lineage. The format spread internationally because its basic dramatic question is clear: will an investor commit money, and on what terms? The British version kept the direct negotiation style while adapting the presentation and investor panel for a UK audience.