Dragon's Den first premiered in the United Kingdom in 2005.
The BBC launched the programme as a British adaptation of the international Dragons' Den format, in which entrepreneurs present business proposals to wealthy investors. Contestants seek investment in exchange for a percentage of ownership in their companies.
The programme became known for its stark presentation room, direct questioning and the phrase “I'm out” when a Dragon rejected an opportunity. Its original broadcast home was BBC Two, before later episodes also appeared on BBC One.
Dragon's Den is related to the international format known in the United States as Shark Tank. Although the investor panel has changed over time, the central pitch-and-negotiate structure has remained. The year 2005 refers to the British programme's premiere, not the launch of the format itself or the debut of a later international adaptation.