The original Japanese television programme that inspired the UK version of Dragons' Den was Money Tigers.
Money Tigers was the Japanese format on which the international Dragons' Den concept was based. Its central idea was simple but powerful: entrepreneurs presented business proposals to wealthy private investors, who could question the proposal and decide whether to provide capital for equity.
The UK programme adapted that structure for British audiences, replacing the original setting and participants with British entrepreneurs and investors. This is why Dragons' Den is related to other international business-pitch shows while still having its own title, production history and panel.
A frequent mix-up is Shark Tank, the American adaptation. Shark Tank is a related international version, not the original Japanese source. Identifying Money Tigers correctly therefore requires distinguishing the format’s origin from one of its later, better-known adaptations.