Money Tigers was the original Japanese television format adapted into the BBC business show Dragons' Den.
The Japanese programme, known as Money Tigers, established the central premise: entrepreneurs present business ideas to wealthy investors and seek funding in exchange for equity. The UK version retained that basic structure while giving the investors the distinctive name “Dragons.”
The format was created in Japan before being adapted for broadcasters in several countries. The US version became Shark Tank, which is why viewers sometimes mistakenly identify that title as the original. Shark Tank is an adaptation, not the source format.
The franchise’s appeal comes from its simple, high-pressure negotiation. A pitch can end with an offer, a refusal, or a request for a different share of the business. The television versions vary in panel and style, but the investment-room framework remains recognisable.