Money Tigers was the Japanese television programme that inspired BBC's Dragon's Den.
The Japanese format, known as Money Tigers, placed entrepreneurs in front of established businesspeople who could choose whether to invest. The core structure was then licensed internationally, creating a family of related programmes.
The British adaptation changed the investor nickname to “Dragons”, reflecting the show's title and the traditional image of dragons as powerful, formidable figures. Contestants still present business proposals and negotiate over investment and ownership.
The format is often linked in casual discussion with Shark Tank, but Shark Tank is the American adaptation. Money Tigers is the earlier Japanese source programme behind the international format.