Nippon Television created the format later adapted as the British series Dragon’s Den.
The concept originated in Japan as Money no Tane, a programme in which entrepreneurs presented business ideas to wealthy investors. Nippon Television developed and broadcast the original format before it was licensed internationally. The central structure remained consistent: entrepreneurs pitch for investment, investors ask questions, and the parties negotiate over equity.
The format became widely known in Britain as Dragon’s Den and in several other countries under the title Dragons’ Den or related local names. The American adaptation is Shark Tank, which uses different branding but follows the same broad pitch-and-investment idea.
A common mix-up is to identify the BBC as the format’s creator. The BBC broadcasts the British version, but Nippon Television originated the underlying television format.