The television format adapted as the BBC programme Dragon's Den was originally titled Money Tigers.
The format began in Japan before being adapted for broadcasters in several countries. Entrepreneurs present business proposals to a panel of wealthy investors, who can offer money in exchange for equity. The central negotiation structure remained recognisable as the format travelled internationally.
The British programme is part of a wider international franchise rather than an entirely original BBC invention. Its title uses “Dragons” for the investors, while the American adaptation is called Shark Tank. These different animal names describe the same broad idea: formidable investors evaluating entrepreneurs and their businesses.
Money Tigers is sometimes confused with Dragon's Den itself, but Money Tigers refers to the Japanese source format, not the UK programme or one of its later international versions.