Money Tigers was the Japanese programme that directly inspired Dragon's Den.
Money Tigers was a Japanese business-investment television format in which entrepreneurs presented proposals to wealthy investors. The UK production adapted that central structure for British television, changing the presentation and investor panel while retaining the basic idea of pitching for capital in exchange for part of a company.
The Japanese title is often confused with the British show's own imagery. “Dragons” is the UK branding, whereas “Tigers” belongs to the source programme. The distinction matters because the format has been adapted in many countries under different names, including versions that use local animals or other symbols for the investors.
Dragon's Den is therefore not an entirely original UK invention, although its BBC presentation, personalities and successful businesses made it a distinct British television institution. Money Tigers is the specific predecessor credited with inspiring the UK format, rather than a generic business reality show.