Doug Richard was one of the original Dragons on the BBC television show Dragon's Den.
Richard is an American entrepreneur and technology investor who joined the original UK panel when the programme launched in 2005. His background was strongly associated with technology businesses and online ventures, giving the first panel a perspective distinct from the retail and property experience of several other Dragons.
The launch panel also included Peter Jones, Duncan Bannatyne, Rachel Elnaugh and Theo Paphitis. Richard left the regular panel after the first series, so later viewers may know the programme's early lineup less well than its longer-serving investors.
A common mix-up is identifying every early Dragon as a British entrepreneur. Richard was born in the United States, although he became active in the British technology and investment scene. His appearance belongs specifically to the original series rather than to a later reshuffle of the panel.