Shark Tank is the US adaptation related to the UK show Dragon's Den.
Both programmes belong to the same international format family. Entrepreneurs pitch businesses to a panel of investors and seek money in return for an equity share or another negotiated arrangement. The American version uses “sharks” instead of “dragons” as its investor identity.
Shark Tank premiered in the United States on ABC in 2009. Its early regular investors included Kevin O'Leary, Barbara Corcoran, Daymond John, Robert Herjavec and Kevin Harrington, although the panel has changed over time.
The two shows are often treated as equivalents, but their panel line-ups, broadcasters and individual deals differ. Dragon's Den is the British adaptation, while Shark Tank is the American one. Both ultimately trace their format back to the Japanese programme Money Tigers.