Which company created the original Japanese television format adapted into the BBC's Dragons' Den?

Nippon Television created the original Japanese television format adapted into the BBC's Dragons' Den.

The format first appeared in Japan as Money Tigers, or Money no Tora. Nippon Television developed the programme around a simple but powerful premise: entrepreneurs would present proposals to wealthy investors, who could challenge the numbers and decide whether to offer funding.

That structure travelled successfully because it requires little specialist explanation. Every pitch contains the same basic ingredients—an idea, an asking price, an equity offer and a negotiation—while the personalities and business cultures vary between countries. The British adaptation became Dragons' Den, and other territories created their own versions.

Nippon Television is sometimes confused with other major Japanese broadcasters because Japan has several influential national television networks. The relevant company here is Nippon Television, the broadcaster credited with originating the format, rather than a British channel or a later international adaptation.