The British television programme Dragons' Den first aired in 2005.
The series premiered on BBC Two on 4 January 2005. It adapted the Japanese business format Money Tigers, which had already been licensed internationally under the Dragons' Den title. Entrepreneurs present business ideas to wealthy investors, known as Dragons, who may offer money in exchange for equity.
The British version became a long-running BBC factual-entertainment programme. Its format combines a short business pitch with questioning about sales, costs, valuation and ownership. A televised offer is not automatically a completed investment: deals may still be subject to due diligence after filming.
The programme is sometimes confused with the wider international Dragons' Den franchise, because versions have been produced in many countries. The 2005 date refers specifically to the first broadcast of the British series, not to the original Japanese format or another national adaptation.