What was the title of the Japanese television format that inspired Dragons' Den?

Money Tigers was the Japanese television format that inspired Dragons' Den.

The programme, known in Japan as Money no Tora, established the central idea of entrepreneurs presenting business proposals to wealthy investors. International broadcasters then adapted the format, changing the title and sometimes the composition of the investor panel for local audiences.

The British edition adopted the title Dragons' Den, while the American adaptation became Shark Tank. Although the names differ, the basic mechanism remains recognisable: a founder requests funding and offers a share of the business in return.

Money Tigers is often confused with Shark Tank because both are well-known versions of the same broad international concept. Shark Tank is the US adaptation; Money Tigers is the Japanese programme that originated the format behind the British series.