Dragons' Den is the BBC business series in which entrepreneurs pitch to investors called Dragons.
The programme gives business owners an opportunity to present a company, product or idea to a panel of wealthy investors. Entrepreneurs typically state how much money they want and what percentage of the business they are prepared to offer. The Dragons then ask questions about sales, costs, valuation and growth.
The format is adapted from the Japanese programme Money Tigers and has been produced in many countries. The British title refers to the investors as Dragons, whereas the American version is called Shark Tank. These related titles are a frequent source of confusion when people discuss international adaptations.
A televised offer is not necessarily the final outcome. Investments are normally subject to due diligence after filming, so an agreement shown in an episode may later be changed or withdrawn. That distinction is an important part of understanding how the show’s business deals work.