The British television programme Dragons' Den calls its panel of investors Dragons.
The name is built into the British title and is used throughout the programme when entrepreneurs address the panel. Each Dragon is a successful businessperson who may question a pitch, assess its valuation and offer money in exchange for an ownership stake in the company.
The terminology varies between international adaptations. In the United States, the comparable panel is known as the Sharks on Shark Tank, while other countries use different names linked to their local titles. This explains why international viewers sometimes use another animal when describing the British programme.
Calling the investors Dragons is more than a nickname: it identifies the panel within the programme's own format and distinguishes the UK terminology from related versions. Entrepreneurs commonly address the group collectively before individual investors decide whether to make an offer.