The BBC business series Dragons' Den first premiered in the United Kingdom in 2005.
The British version is based on the Japanese reality format Money Tigers, in which entrepreneurs present business proposals to wealthy investors. The programme gives contestants a short presentation followed by detailed questioning about sales, costs, ownership and growth plans.
The first British series was broadcast on BBC Two, before the programme became one of the BBC's best-known factual entertainment formats. Evan Davis was the original presenter, a role that made him a familiar guide to the negotiations while the investors challenged the entrepreneurs.
Dragons' Den is sometimes confused with the similarly formatted international series Shark Tank. Although both programmes descend from the same Japanese concept, the British show uses the term “dragons” for its investors and has its own panel history, production style and business deals.