Shark Tank is the American television adaptation of the format used by Britain's Dragon's Den.
Both programmes feature entrepreneurs pitching businesses to wealthy investors. The entrepreneurs usually state how much money they want and what percentage of the company they are willing to offer. Investors then question the proposal and can make, reject or negotiate an offer.
The American title changes the animal metaphor from dragons to sharks, but the underlying international format traces back to the Japanese programme Money Tigers. This makes Shark Tank a related adaptation rather than a completely unrelated business show.
The names of the investors and the presentation style vary by country. Their commercial sectors, deal structures and television branding are also different. The most reliable distinction is the national title: Dragon's Den is used in Britain and several other territories, while Shark Tank is the best-known US title.