The British series Dragons' Den uses the format of the Japanese television programme Money Tigers.
Money Tigers was created by Nippon Television and established the central format in which entrepreneurs present business proposals to wealthy investors. The investors decide whether to offer money in exchange for a share of the business.
The concept was adapted in several countries. In the United Kingdom, the programme became Dragons' Den, while the United States adaptation became Shark Tank. These programmes share the pitch-and-investment structure, but they have different presenters, investors and production histories.
The title Money Tigers refers to the investors' role as financially powerful business figures. The British title instead uses “dragons”, a term intended to make the investors sound formidable and difficult to impress.