The Japanese business reality show Money Tigers inspired the format of the BBC series Dragon's Den.
Money Tigers was a Japanese programme in which entrepreneurs presented business proposals to wealthy investors. Its central idea—founders making a formal pitch while investors decide whether to commit money—was adapted for television in several countries.
The British version retained the proposal-and-negotiation structure but gave the investors the dragon-themed name. Contestants normally state how much money they want and what percentage of their company they are willing to exchange. The investors can then ask questions, negotiate, or decline.
Money Tigers is sometimes confused with Shark Tank because both programmes belong to the same international format family. Shark Tank is the American adaptation, while Dragon's Den is the British adaptation. The format has also appeared under related titles in countries including Canada, Australia and Ireland.