Shark Tank is the American television adaptation of the Dragon's Den format that premiered in 2009.
The programme presents entrepreneurs to a panel of wealthy investors who evaluate businesses and negotiate possible equity deals. Although the branding and panel differ from the British show, the central idea comes from the same international format lineage that began with Japan's Money Tigers.
Shark Tank first aired in the United States in 2009. It is therefore not the original programme and should not be confused with Dragon's Den itself. The British series launched in 2005, while Shark Tank used a different title and developed its own panel, presenters and American business context.