The Japanese programme Money Tigers inspired the UK television programme Dragon's Den.
Money Tigers was a Japanese business reality show in which entrepreneurs presented proposals to wealthy investors. The format was adapted internationally, with the investors becoming “dragons” in the British version.
Dragon's Den began on BBC Two in 2005 and retained the central structure: entrepreneurs present a business idea, state the amount sought and offer a percentage of their company. The investors then question the applicant before deciding whether to make an offer.
The US adaptation is called Shark Tank, so it is commonly confused with the British show. Shark Tank and Dragon's Den share the broader international format, but Money Tigers is the specific Japanese programme credited as the original inspiration.