The first episode of the British television programme Dragons' Den aired on 4 January 2005.
The BBC launched the series as a format in which entrepreneurs present businesses or ideas to wealthy investors, known as Dragons. Contestants seek investment in exchange for an ownership stake in their company. The programme quickly became one of the BBC's best-known factual entertainment shows.
Dragons' Den is based on the Japanese format Money Tigers, which was later adapted in several countries. The British version established its own identity through its panel, presentation style and emphasis on negotiation. The apostrophe in “Dragons'” is part of the programme's official British title.
The UK series is sometimes confused with the Canadian and Australian versions, which use related formats but have different premiere dates and investors. The 2005 date refers specifically to the first British broadcast, not the international franchise.