What Japanese television programme provided the format for BBC's Dragons' Den?

Money Tigers provided the Japanese television format for BBC's Dragons' Den.

The concept places entrepreneurs before a panel of wealthy businesspeople who can offer money in return for a stake in the presented company. The dramatic negotiation element is central: an entrepreneur may receive an offer, several competing offers, or no deal at all.

The British programme is one of several international adaptations of the format. Although the English-language title refers to dragons, the original Japanese title was Money Tigers. Different countries have used local titles, presenters and investor panels while retaining the basic pitch-and-investment structure.

A common mix-up is to identify the American programme Shark Tank as the original source. Shark Tank is another adaptation of the same broad format family, but it is not the Japanese programme that supplied the basis for the British series. Money Tigers is therefore the specific format title requested here.