The British show Dragons' Den was inspired by the Japanese television format Money Tigers.
Money Tigers, known in Japan as Money no Tora, established the basic structure later used by Dragons' Den. Entrepreneurs appeared before a panel of successful businesspeople and sought funding for their ideas. The investors questioned the presenters about costs, sales, ownership and future prospects before deciding whether to make an offer.
The concept crossed television markets because its central tension is easy to understand internationally: an entrepreneur must persuade experienced investors that a business deserves capital. The British adaptation changed the branding and presentation, but retained the pitch-and-negotiation structure.
The format is also the source of the American programme Shark Tank and other national versions. The different titles reflect local branding rather than entirely different concepts. In Britain, the investor panel became known as the Dragons, giving the programme its distinctive name.