Which business reality show is the UK version of Dragon’s Den based on?

The UK version of Dragon’s Den is based on the Japanese business reality show Money Tigers.

Money Tigers was created in Japan as a format in which entrepreneurs presented business proposals to wealthy investors. The concept was adapted internationally, with each version using its own title, presenter and panel of investors while retaining the central pitch-and-investment structure.

The British adaptation is called Dragon’s Den and first aired in 2005. Its investors are called Dragons, reflecting the title, while other countries use different names. The American adaptation is known as Shark Tank, which is why viewers sometimes mistakenly identify that programme as the original source.

Money Tigers is also translated or referenced by its Japanese title, Money no Tora. The important distinction is that Dragon’s Den is not an originally British format; it is a local adaptation of a Japanese television concept.